Leon Frederick Striegel

Leon Frederick Striegel, affectionately known as “Doc,” passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 10th in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who lived life to the fullest and greatly enriched the lives of all he touched. Leon was born in Murphysboro, Illinois on April 4, 1923 to Alfred Joseph Striegel, DVM and Ora Edith Striegel. He served in the Navy during World War II. He attended Rankin Trade School in St. Louis for one year, before deciding to study pre-veterinary medicine at Colorado State University. He transferred to Southern Illinois University to complete his pre-veterinary studies in order to be closer to his mother after his father’s death. He married his devoted wife of 61 years, Orpha Jane Borgsmiller, on November 13, 1948. He then graduated from The University of Illinois Veterinary School in 1953 and owned Striegel Animal Hospital for many years in Carbondale, IL. He served on the John A. Logan Foundation Board and was active in: the American Veterinary Medical Association, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Elks Club. His passions were making Striegelini wine and sailing. He sailed with his wife, Orpha Jane winning many regattas and the Rebel National title in 1963. He also enjoyed attending football games at Carbondale Community High School and Southern Illinois University. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Alfred Joseph and Ora Edith Striegel, and son Alfred William Striegel. He leaves behind his loving wife, Orpha Jane Striegel. He is survived by four sons, Mr. Robert F. Striegel of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Dr. & Mrs. William L. Striegel (Patricia) of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Mr. & Mrs. James J. Striegel (Terri) of Flower Mound, Texas; and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Striegel (Linda) of Heath, Texas; and seven grandchildren: Timothy, Allison, Elizabeth, Eric, Anthony, Preston, and Shelby; and also many nieces, nephews, cousins, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and many friends. Visitation will at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale, Illinois on May 18, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, immediately followed by a funeral mass at 12 noon with a burial service at the Tower Grove Cemetery in Murphysboro, IL. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to make memorial gifts to the John A. Logan College Foundation, 700 Logan College Rd., Carterville, IL 62918, attn. Leon Striegel DVM Scholarship Fund; or the Odyssey Hospice Health Care, 9414 Three Rivers Road, Suite 3, Gulfport, MS 39503. The family would like to thank the staff of Davita Dialysis Center of Ocean Springs, MS, The Gardens Assisted Living Center of Ocean Springs, MS, and Odyssey Hospice Health Care of Gulfport, MS. Arrangements are under the direction of Meredith Funeral Home of Carbondale, IL and The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home.