Lee W. Vail

Lee W. Vail, 99, of Monmouth, Ill. died at 3:05 P.M. Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg, Ill.

Lee was born on May 24, 1915 in Liverpool Township, Fulton County, near Lewistown, Ill., he is the son of Willard C. and Elsie Pearl Stevens Vail. Lee moved to Monmouth when he was 12 years old, he graduated from Monmouth High School.

He married Monica St. Ledger on April 9, 1945 in Monmouth. She preceded him in death on April 13, 2003.

Lee served in the United States Army during World War II. He spent 38 months in the South Pacific.

Lee worked as a carpenter all his life, and was a member of the Carpenters Union for 35 years. He was the Construction Superintendent for Goodman Church Builders for 16 years, building 20 Christian churches in 10 different states.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth. Lee was also a member of the Marion B. Fletcher American Legion Post 136, J.W. Clendenin V.F.W. Post 2301, the NRA, and the Nature Conservancy. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Lee enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and trailer camping in many states.

Lee is survived by his sons Kenneth F. (Marcy) Anderson of Monmouth, Gary L. (Marieta) Vail, Sr. of Abingdon, Ill., grandchildren; Gary L. Vail, Jr. of Galesburg, Rebecca L. Vail of Alexis, Ill., great granddaughter Morgan L. Vail of Alexis, sister-in-law Theresa Vail of Monmouth, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother Merle Vail.

A Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Raritan, Ill. Cremation rites have been accorded. No visitation is planned. Memorials can be made to the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, or V.F.W. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.