Leo McGowan, 72, of Washington, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Proctor Place Senior Living in Peoria.

He was born March 27, 1951 in Bloomington, IL to the late Francis and Amelda (Lorig) McGowan.

Leo is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 51 years Lynn (Hufford); three children, Brian (Michelle), Eric (Cheryl), and Shannon (Lance) Kerley; six grandchildren, Addison Kerley, Leighton McGowan, Quinn Kerley, Aedan McGowan, Margot McGowan, and Ella Kerley; 11 siblings, Robert (Patricia), James, Francis (Susie), Eileen Wyant, Loretta (Lloyd) Power, JoAnne (Denver) Queen, Mary (Robert) Vaughan, Theresa (Philip) Nystedt, Marilyn (James) Petri, Rita (Dennis) Beedle, and Evelyn (Jim) Walters; aunt Beverly (Pete) Gramm; and many special nieces and nephews.

Leo graduated from Octavia High School in Colfax, IL in 1969 and received his Associates degree in Applied Sciences in 1972 from Illinois Central College. He started his career in 1969 at L.E. German Implement before moving to Peoria Tractor Company in 1972. Leo joined Caterpillar in 1977 as a Product Assembler at Mossville. He spent the next 38 years progressing through numerous roles at the company before retiring in 2015 as a Staff Service Engineer.

Leo was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington where his Funeral Mass will be held at 11am Saturday, January 20, 2024. Visitation will be from 4 to 6pm Friday, January 19 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The ALS Association at als.org.