Leonard Elmer Carlson, age 70, a resident of Rockford and formerly a 22 year resident of Lake Zurich, died at home on Friday, May 16, 2008. He was born on December 14, 1937 in Evanston to Elmer and Clara, nee Nelson, Carlson. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lakeview High School.

Leonard was a veteran of the U.S Air Force. He worked for 36 years in Cemetery Management for Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago and for Memorial park Cemetery in Skokie. He retired in 1996 at age 59. He was an active member of Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church.

He married Trudy Benson on October 1, 1966 in Arlington Heights and was a fun-loving and caring husband, Dad and "Bampa". He was a friend to all and loved people. He didn't know a stranger. He loved games, sports (especially college football), working in the yard and spending time with his grandchildren.

Leonard is survived by his wife Trudy, three daughters, Susie (Tom) VonBusch of Arlington Heights, Sandy (Roger) Schenck of Germantown Hills, IL and Sheri (Craig) Myers of Monticello, IL, eight grandchildren, Clay, Colette, Corey, Cree, Cannon, Cade, Zoe and Zanna, four sisters, Lois Tuneberg, Lorraine Syverson, Loretta (Bob) Hoskins, and Linda (Jack) Janigian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Leona Bambach.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 23, from 4 P.M. until 8 P.M. at the Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church, 1330 N. Douglas, in Arlington Heights, where a service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 A.M, friends may visit with the family from 10 to 11 A.M. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Inner City Impact, www.innercityimpact.org, 3327 W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60647 or Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, www.fairhaven.cc, 3470 North Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61114.