Leroy A. Lawless Jr.

Leroy A. Lawless, 89 of Streator passed away Friday (October 11, 2024) at the OSF Center for Health, Streator.

A visitation will be held Friday (Oct. 18th) from 9 a.m. until 12noon at the Winterrowd Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at noon at the funeral home and burial in the St. John’s Cemetery in Lostant.

Serving as pallbearers will be Phillip, Adam, Jacob Kling, Kaylyn Wimberly, Jim Kern, and Chris Gentry.

Leroy was born on December 13, 1934 in Lostant to Leroy A. and Marcella (Seipp) Lawless Sr. He married Paula Zitoun on July 15, 1978. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Katherine (Cary) Bryan of Streator, Deborah Simmons of Streator, Steven (Brenda) Lawless of Streator, Melissa Lawless of Normal and stepdaughter Lori (Joe) Kowtko of Cedar Point, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, brother James (MaryAnn) Lawless of Wenona and his beloved dog Molly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Lawless, sister Mary Cinnamon and stepchildren: Butch, Daniel, and Lisa Anderson.

Leroy graduated from the Lostant High School in 1952, and he received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Lewis University. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from 1954 – 1956. Leroy retired from the Illinois State Police District #17 in 1991. Leroy was a member of the Streator Eagles Club, Retired & Disabled Police of America, Illinois Police Association, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, and the FOP Troopers Lodge #041.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.