Leo Renso Haslett (96) of St. Elmo

Leo Renso Haslett, age 96, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 8:40 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 29 at the St. Elmo Christian Church in St. Elmo, Illinois. There will be a one-hour viewing prior to the service. Jim Ziegler will be officiating. Burial will be at Springhill Cemetery in rural Beecher City, Illinois. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Memorials may go to Fairview Church Cemetery, Springhill Cemetery or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Leo was born on May 24, 1922 in Fayette County, Illinois, the son of Charles Renso and Edith Ann (Aldridge) Haslett. Leo married Betty Jane Tucker on September 27, 1947 in St. Elmo, Illinois, she preceded him in death on January 27, 2018. Leo was inducted into the United States Army in December 1942 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He was then sent to Camp Phillips, Kansas and then assigned to the 94th Signal Company in the construction platoon. During this time, he was assigned to guard the Presidential Train as President Roosevelt came through. He then went to Tennessee and then onto Camp McCain in Mississippi. He boarded the Queen Elizabeth in New York and headed to England. Leo received four battles stars: Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After WWII ended, he received an Honorable Discharge at 9:00 p.m. December 28, 1945 and he headed home. Leo was a member of the St. Elmo American Legion, St. Elmo Masonic Lodge, and St. Elmo Christian Church. He loved woodworking, collecting antiques, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his son, Marty Haslett (wife Crystal) of St. Elmo, Illinois; 2 daughters, Janelle Dilley (husband Bruce) of St. Elmo, Illinois and Jeannine Rippetoe of St. Elmo, Illinois; brother-in-law, Fred Love of Owensboro, Kentucky; 5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Edith Haslett; his wife of 70 years, Betty Jane Haslett; 6 brothers, Robert Haslett, Clarence Haslett, Willie Haslett, James Haslett, Claude Haslett, K.V. “Cap” Haslett; 5 sisters, Thelma Calvert, Iva Kirby, Edna Lyles, Violet Love, and Verla Hansen; 5 sisters-in-law, Maude Haslett, Ruth Haslett, Marvelle Haslett, Velma Haslett, Melva Haslett; 4 brothers-in-law, Orlando Calvert, Clifford Kirby, W.G. Lyles and Leonard Hansen.