LeRoy Blum

LeRoy Joseph Blum, 79, of Belvidere, IL passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 3, 1943, in Mitchell, SD to the late Joseph and Virginia (Beam) Blum. He graduated from Belvidere High School with the class of 1962. LeRoy married the love of his life, Linda Runion, on July 7, 1978, in Belvidere, IL. He worked as a supervisor in the stock room for Green Giant in Belvidere, IL for over 40 years. LeRoy was a member of the Boone County VFW Post 1461 and American Legion Boone County Post #77 and served in the Honor Guard for both. As his father was a World War I Veteran and LeRoy himself didn’t serve in the military but he wanted to honor Veterans in this way, and he was very proud and humbled to be a part of this service. LeRoy joined the IOU Club in 1990 and was president in 1994. He was a faithful member and didn’t miss many Friday meetings. Fellow member Bob Turner saw that he got to the meetings the last few weeks. LeRoy was always eager to share a joke especially his signature “Archibald” and the “Toad” jokes. One of LeRoy’s favorite places to be was their cabin in Upper Michigan. For the past 43 years he spent time there hunting and four wheeling while using the cabin as a home base. He made many friends as part of the Chippewa Sno-Kats Trail Club, Inc. LeRoy was also part of many local organizations. He was on the Boone County Historical Museum Board, Boone County Zoning Commission, a member of the Hazmat Team at General Mills, and a precinct committeeman for the 18th precinct in Boone County. LeRoy was also a faithful member of Heartland Community Church since 1999. LeRoy is loved and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Linda; daughters, Julie (Alex) Tucker, Jeanette (James) Fox, Angela (Frankie Dozal) Blum; grandchildren, Devon Fox, Tiernan Fox, Sydney Tucker, Graceyn Tucker, Zavior Dozal, Zamanni Dozal, Zakai Dozal; sister, Alyce (Roger) Newkirk. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, including his goddaughter Ronda (Steve) Welch Hyser, and godson Roger (Amy) Welch. LeRoy will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends as an incredible father, joke teller, and overall wonderful human being that made a positive impact with all those lucky enough to have known him. The family would like to thank Dr. Clayton Malaker, the OSF St. Anthony’s Staff and Hospice care team for their generous care and support. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph, and Virginia; son, Martin Blum; sisters, Mary Klein, Marcella Decker, Joey Welch. There will be a celebration of life on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at The American Legion in Belvidere, IL beginning at 11:00 A.M. Memorials can be made to the family.