Leonard O. “Pick” Pickerill, 89, died on Monday, April 13.
Private family graveside services and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Tanzyus Logan Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Pickerill was born on Nov. 9, 1930, in Hillsboro, to Theodore (Oren)and Nannie (Nan) Pickerill, the eldest of three children. He married Victoria Lee (Hlastan)on Dec. 3, 1950, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. He owned and operated the Shell gas station on Main Street in Hillsboro and went on to become a tool and die maker.
Mr. Pickerill later moved his family to Decatur. He practiced his craft at Marvel Schebler and Wagner Castings before becoming the general foreman and finally the superintendent of maintenance. After retiring, Mr. Pickerill started Pick’s Tool and Design, working with Caterpillar, ADM and several machine shops in Decatur.
He derived great joy from coaching his son’s teams during baseball and hockey seasons. He will be fondly remembered as “Coach” by the many young men he impacted and was inducted into the Decatur Youth Hockey Hall of Fame in Nov. 2018, as one of the original pillars of youth hockey in Decatur.
His children and grandchildren were often on the receiving end of his vast array of knowledge of a variety of subjects. He loved to teach, coach and cook, and was able to repair just about anything. The Pickerill family found truth in the saying, “if grandpa can’t fix it we are all in trouble.” He considered fixing things a challenge and was often brought broken items by his family and friends.
Mr. Pickerill was a fan of the Chicago Cubs. His ability to garden and prepare home-grown meals was legendary. For several years he threw a corn roast in his backyard that all of Mt. Zion looked forward to attending.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great source of joy to him. His family will remember him as a man who loved the Lord and reflected that in all he did.
Mr. Pickerill is survived by his wife; sister, Janet (Dale) Meesey of Colorado Springs, CO; sons, Michael (LeeAnn) and William (Denette); brother, Jim (Sue) Pickerill of Cleveland, OH; grandchildren, Jason (fiancee Stacey) Pickerill of Decatur; Jennifer (Jon) Stone of Forsyth and Beth Ann Pickerill of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Addison; and six nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1 Bachrach Ct., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences can be left online at www.tanzyuslogan.com.
