Leo (Joe) Plaszczynski Jr. 81 of Tuscola went to be with his Lord on Thursday, October 16, 2014.

He was born Feb. 16, 1933, in New Britain, CT, son of Leo and Jean (Konopka) Plasczynski. He married Janet Ochs of Tuscola on May 5, 1975. She survives. Also surviving are two brothers, Don Plasczynski of Bristol, CT, David (Claudette) of Burlington, CT, and five children: Joan (William) Merza of Ellicott City, MD, Stephen (Trish) Plaszczynskl of Uncasville, CT, James of Orlando, FL., Cathy (Jeff) McConnell of Waterboro, ME, and Jen (Mark) Jagodzinskl of LaGrange, IL. He was also blessed with 6 grandchildren: Emily, Sarah, Jen, Pam, Nathan, Jade, and a great-grandchild, Dante.

Leo enlisted in the USAF and served as a medical corpsman in WWII German Occupation. He received his BSN from Univ. of Bridgeport, CT. In 1962 he was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army Reserve. He was called to active duty in 1964 and served in Vietnam as an RN with the 240th Thoracic Surgical Team, 18th M.A.S.H. in Pleiku. He earned a Masters Degree. at the Univ. of Southern Mississippi.

During his nursing career, he was employed by hospitals in CT, Champaign and Olney, IL, Savannah, GA, and McComb, MS. Returning to Tuscola in 1985, he served as an Associate Professor and Comptroller at Lakeview College of Nursing in Danville, IL. He retired from Eagle Wings in Rantoul, IL as a Clinical Director and OSHA Compliance Agent in 1999. During retirement he continued serving his city and county through the Douglas County Medical Reserve Corps.

Leo served on the Tuscola City Council for 13 yrs. He was an active member of Forty Martyrs Catholic Church and volunteered with SAM Pantry and Kiwanis. As supporting veterans was important to him, he was a member of the VFW Post 10009, Polish Legion of American Veterans USA Post 215, American Legion Post 27, DAV, and AMVETS. He also served on the Douglas County Veterans Assistance Commission.

Leo loved spending time with his grandchildren, playing cards with friends, and was out on the golf course every chance he got.

All are welcome to attend a 10:00 a.m. Memorial Mass at Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, 201 E. Van Allen St., Tuscola, celebrating his life on Saturday, October 25, 2014, with Pastor Delix Michel as celebrant. Internment service, with full military honors, will follow at the Tuscola Township Cemetery. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola, IL is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers or condolences, memorials may be made to the SAM Food Pantry, c/o TUMC, 901 North Prairie St., Tuscola, IL 61953 or the Haitian School Mission through Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, PO Box 440, Tuscola, IL 61953

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com