Leonard Albert “Spike” Burnett, age 80, of Benton, passed away at 11:10 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2014 at the Franklin Hospital in Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Whitlock officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion Post # 280, Benton V.F.W. Post #2671 and the U.S. Air Force will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be held Friday, December 5, 2014 from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Leonard Albert Burnett was born on July 15, 1934 in Pittsburg, Illinois, the son of George M. Burnett and Elsie (Farmer) Burnett. He married the former Naomi McDonald on Nov. 25, 1956 and she survives.
Mr. Burnett served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, where he was assigned to the Military Police and was responsible for guarding President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s plane. He was also responsible for guarding nine atomic bombs and was stationed in Morocco and Casablanca.
Leonard worked with the Franklin County Highway Department as a maintenance worker. He also formerly worked at Bracy’s Store on the square in Benton, Petroff Packing, and was a former delivery man with Chester Dairy, all of Benton.
He enjoyed fishing, mowing and doing yard work, painting by numbers, keeping a daily journal of family and world events and the weather. He enjoyed his dog “Spot” and reading his daily newspaper. He could be seen almost always having a large cup of ice water in his hand.
Mr. Burnett is survived by his wife of 58 years Naomi Burnett of Benton; four children: Danny “Smiley” Burnett and wife Diane of Benton, Karen (Burnett) Hancock and husband Jeff of West Frankfort, Kathy (Burnett) Hill and husband Tom of Benton, Judy (Burnett) Jordan and husband Allen of Bethalto; seven grandchildren: Dedra Rowe and husband Brent of Benton, Danessa Burnett of Benton, Dylan Burnett of Benton, Hunter Hancock of West Frankfort, Shawn Hill of Benton, Kyle Hill of Benton, Ashley Santos and husband Marco of Dallas, TX; three great-grandchildren: Trenton Rowe, Zachary Rowe and Orion Mandrell; three brothers: Bob Burnett and wife Pam of Benton, Jim Burnett of Bolingbrook, IL, Mark Burnett of Benton; three sisters: Shirley Snow and husband Cletus of Mt. Vernon, IL, Donna Burnett of Mt. Vernon, IL, Carol Stark of Portland, OR and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Burnett was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Glenn Burnett, Bill Burnett and Donald Burnett, and three sisters: Wilma Gibbs, Norma Benard and Patty Young.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To view the obituary and leave online condolences to the family visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
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