Leonard Demers, 101, of Clifton passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. He was born on July 26, 1925 in Clifton, a son of Joseph and Leonie (Lanoue) Demers. Leonard married Gloria Benoit in Kankakee on April 30, 1949 and she preceded him in death on December 23, 2006.

 

Leonard is survived by his son, Vincent (Pamela) Demers of Watseka; two daughters, Suzanne Parkinson of Chamberlin, South Dakota and Kathleen (Rob) Krones of Bloomington; eight grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; many great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

 

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by both of his parents; one brother, Joe Demers; and four sisters, Belva Wilken, Marie Petersen, Veronica Demers, and Madeleine Conrad.

 

Leonard was a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable. He was a former board member of the St. John the Baptist Cemetery Board. Leonard enjoyed making quilts and baking famous sticky rolls which brought in $250 at auction. He also loved time spent gardening, farming, playing cards, playing Dart ball, and riding in his golf cart. Leonard was one of the oldest competitive tractor pullers in the state. Even after his retirement from farming, he still loved it so much that he helped farm with his nephew, Paul Conrad.

 

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable. Burial will follow in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in L’Erable.

 

Memorials may be made for the Masses at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or to the donor’s choice.

 

Arrangements are by the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.