J. Dean St.Ledger, age 89, of Monmouth, Illinois passed away at 12:50 am
on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Monmouth Nursing Home. Dean was born on
July 15, 1931 in Monmouth, Illinois and is the son of Joseph Edmund and
Lois Audrey Butler St.Ledger. He was raised in Roseville, Illinois where
he attended local schools and graduated from Roseville High School in
the class of 1948, the same year as his older brother, Paul. In October
of 1952 Dean was stationed at Camp Cook, California, with the 44th
Infantry Division, an Illinois National Guard division that was
activated in early 1952. Being above the demilitarized zone, on the 27th
of July 1953 the Armistice was signed and all firing ended at 10:00 pm.
Dean was released from active duty on September 25, 1953 but continued
to serve with the National Guard until 1965. Dean married Nancy Joanne
Burke on August 9, 1958 in Monmouth, Illinois, as she survives him. Dean
began work at Monmouth College in April of 1957. He was hired to work in
the heating plant, but that didn’t last long before he began his work as
an electrician and eventually, he became Supervisor of Buildings and
Grounds. Dean has been in that capacity at Monmouth College for his
entire career and has loved working at MC and especially for the Theatre
Department which, after fifty years of service Dean retired. Dean has a
very strong work ethic given him by his dad and working on the farm
where he developed many skills which served him all his life. Building
projects and helping other people was what his niche in life was, as he
would tell his son David. Dean was an avid biker for many years and on
his 80th birthday, he went on a twenty mile bike ride to prove he could
still do it. He loved to read, especially history books on the wars
(especially to Korean War) and the Southwest. One just incident was
going to Davenport, over several years, to help Bruce and Suzanne
Brocka, Dean’s niece, and his brother Paul remold and restore many
houses. He valued his time with the family. Being with his family was
most important to Dean and he was able to teach us many things, how to
work, preserve and care for others.
Dean is survived by his wife, Nancy of Monmouth, one daughter, Aileen
St. Ledger of Grayslake, IL; two sons, Raymond St. Ledger of Olympia, WA
and Kevin St. Ledger of Phoenix, AZ. Dean’s sisters survive, Helen St.
Ledger of East Moline and Anita St. Ledger of Quincy, IL. and three
brothers, Paul St. Ledger and Therese of East Moline, IL; Don St. Ledger
and Ginger and Bernard St. Ledger and Diana, both of Roseville, IL.
Also surviving are his brothers in laws, Chuck Dixon and Keith E. Burke
and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in his death by his
parents, one son David, and two sisters, Lois and Mary Barbara.
A Rosary is planned to be recited at Immaculate Conception Church at
10:00 am on Saturday, October 17, 2020 followed by a Mass of the
Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Interment and Military Honors will follow
in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Monmouth. Memorial funds are being
established by his family and will be announced later. To leave a
remembrance or for more information please visit
www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
