Leland T. Lust

Leland T. Lust, aged 98, of Hammond, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 2:39 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026 at Savoy Place Memory Care in Savoy, Illinois, with family members present.

Leland was born at his rural home near Hammond, Illinois on January 4, 1928 to the late Henry C. Lust and Audrey V. (Emery) Lust. He was raised on the family farm that he never left and grew into a physically strong young man.

Leland was the sole surviving member of the Hammond High School Class of 1946. He and his wife helped organize class reunions for several years.

In the late 1940’s baseball was still the most popular sport in America and Leland loved playing baseball and was a die-hard Cub’s fan. He and his brother, Leonard, were members of the Hammond team. On Sundays the team would travel to play area towns and went undefeated during their 1947 season. Leland played the position of pitcher or catcher for the team and had games batting over .500.

He thought about trying out for a minor league baseball team but, decided instead to marry his biggest fan, Dolores Evelyn Askew on January 22, 1949 in Decatur, Illinois. Together they spent a life of over 77 years on the Lust Family Centennial Farm that was established in 1887. She passed away on May 28, 2026.

It is fitting that Leland passed away on Labor Day because he knew hard work for most of his life. From an early age he worked on the farm before and after school. He then worked in his brother, Leonard’s, tiling business trenching in field tile and municipal water and sewer mains. This work took him further and further away from home, so he became a shipping foreman for Viobin in Monticello, IL. After that, he took a job at the U.S. Industrial Chemical plant near Tuscola, IL. All this time he still took care of his portion of the original family farm and, mostly by his own hands, built a house for his wife and family.

Leland is survived by his children: son: Charles “Ted” Lust and wife, Danita of Tuscola, daughters: Carol Randall and husband, Rod, of Arthur, and Debbie Lust-Gentille of Hammond.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of pride and joy to him. They are grandsons: Charles Lust of Murphysboro, IL, Brandon Lust and wife, Tatiana, of Carmel, IN, Rob Randall of Los Angeles, CA: and granddaughter: Jennifer (Randall) McCormick and husband, Kyle, of Chatham, IL.

Step-grandchildren include: Abbie Williams and husband Kelly of Tuscola, IL and Elliot Harriss and wife Audrey of Tuscola, IL.

Great-grandchildren are: Thomas Lust, Ryker McCormick, Liliana Lust, and step-great-grandchildren: Ellary, Isla, Mabel, and Maren Harriss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Leonard Lust and Herb Lust, sisters: high-school senior Lois Lust, fifteen-month-old Clara Mae, Joanne (Lust) Canfield, and son-in-law, Mike Gentille.

Leland was a life-long member of the Hammond United Methodist Church, taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir with Dolores for many years. People still talk about how much they enjoyed his Sunday school class.

Leland and Dolores loved and were grateful to God for all their family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Hammond United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Hammond Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Hammond United Methodist Church.