Leslie “Les” LaMagdeleine was WWII Veteran, Served with 'Screaming Eagles'

Leslie “Les” LaMagdeleine, 90, US Army combat veteran of WWII, passed away Dec. 2, 2013 in his home surrounded by his family.

Les was born in Mundelein and was a lifelong Libertyville/Mundelein resident. He served with valor in the 101st Airborne Div. (The Screaming Eagles) actively participating in campaigns in Normandy, Ardenns, Rhineland, central Europe and in operation “Market Garden,” where his unit parachuted into Holland to defeat the advancing German army. For his valor he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze battle stars, the bronze service Arrowhead and numerous unit awards.

After the war, Les returned home and took a position at Morton Manufacturing in Libertyville where he stayed for 47 years until his retirement.

He is survived by his beloved wife Gloria nee Ahrens of 66 years of marriage; his loving daughters Marcia Patience and Diane LaMagdeleine; he was the proud grandfather of Michele Tellez, Jamie (Mike) Schiavone and Josh (Erica) McKenzie; the dearest great-grandfather of Kyle, Katelyn and Kalin Tellez, Jakub Baranski and Max Schiavone; the dear brother of Joan Franke and Helen Knowlton and the uncle of many nieces and nephews. Les was one of 11 children to Wilfred and Mary nee Bechler LaMagdeleine. He was preceded by siblings Frank, Donald (Sally), Edmund “Chick” LaMagdeleine, the former Sheriff of Lake County (IL) and former Chief of Police of Mundelein, Mary Ann, June, Larry, Bill (Carol) and Ruth.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 6 from 4–8 p.m. at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Place, Libertyville (Rt. 176, 1 block East of Milwaukee Ave). Private family funeral services will be Saturday at the funeral chapel. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Fremont Center. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s foundation would be greatly appreciated. Information 847-362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com.

—McMurrough Funeral Chapel provided this information.