LEON 'LON' BURT SIEGMEIER ROCKFORD - Leon B. Siegmeier went to be with his Lord on Friday, July 13, 2012, after a long illness. He was born Sept. 27, 1926, in Freeport to William and Suzanna (Green) Siegmeier. He attended Freeport High School, received a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy where he was a radar operator on a destroyer and sang in the Navy choir. Lon was a lifetime member of the Lutheran church - baptized, confirmed, and joined in marriage to Peggy D. Beck at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport. After moving to Rockford in 1964, he joined St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served on church and school committees for many years. He was chairman of the congregation for three terms. His first priority in life was always serving the Lord whom he loved, followed by caring and nurturing for his children and providing for their Christian education. Six years ago he was on a committee to establish a mission church serving the Winnebago/Byron area. The Lord blessed him by giving him the opportunity to witness the growth of this mission church that became Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Byron where he attended until he passed away. His career path began at Micro Switch followed by a long career in the insurance field including Freeport Insurance Co., Chicago Motor Club, and Pekin Insurance where he was employed for 20 years before retiring. He loved the many years he spent at Pekin Ins., and the camaraderie he had with fellow workers at Pekin and the Anderson Insurance Agency. The joy of his life was spending time with his wife and children, and he loved the many vacations they took together and time spent at the lake cottage in Wisconsin Dells. He enjoyed his time outdoors golfing, fishing with his son and son-in-law on annual fishing trips, U of I football games, the Green Bay Packers, singing harmony with his Uncle Bill, and the times he spent with good friends. He loved spending time with his precious daughter and grandchildren and attended many of their activities, sporting events, and special family birthday celebrations. Greatly missed will be his fun-loving and positive spirit, his enjoyment of music and singing, and most of all his great love for family and friends. He was a great prayer warrior, always keeping his family and loved ones close in prayer. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 59 years, Peggy; daughter, Shelly (Gary) Phillips; grandchildren, Matthew and Megan Phillips of Milwaukee; two nieces; and several cousins. Predeceased by his beloved son, Scott Siegmeier in 2007; parents; and brother, William Siegmeier. Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 600 N. Horsman St., Rockford, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to time of service; Pastors Robert Rub and Frank Ciprys will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford or Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Byron.