Leo Laurence Pijut, 92, of Dix, passed away at 12:38 p.m. Friday, July 12, 2024, at Nature Trail Health and Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon.
He was born February 16, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Leo Anthony and Elizabeth (Nowicki) Pijut. On October 8, 1960, at St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Alton, Illinois, he married Phillis Montroy, and she survives.
Leo was a veteran of the United States Army, and was a member of the American Legion for 68 years, beginning at Post #204, in Wood River, where he served as Adjutant and Commander, and later at Post # 141 in Mt. Vernon. He later worked for thirty years at McDonnell-Douglas, as a Foreman in Material Handling. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Dix for many years. Leo was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon.
In addition to his wife, Phillis Pijut of Dix, he is survived by a son, Larry Pijut and wife Gail of Troy, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Jeff Mitchell of Chester, Illinois, Kristopher Mitchell of Salt Lake City, Utah, Tara Mitchell-Gerstner of Peoria, Illinois, and David Mitchell of Boulder, Colorado, Nikolaus Pijut of Collinsville, Illinois, Alexander Patrick of Edwardsville, Illinois, and Cassandra Patrick of Olathe, Kansas; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Mitchell; and a brother, Melvin Pijut.
Funeral services for Mr. Pijut will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon), Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Rev. Elton Storey officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Grove (County Line) Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Food Pantry, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
