Leo J. Bier

Leo J. Bier, 87, Dardenne Prairie, MO, died 12:19 PM, Tuesday, January 20, 2009, in Progress West Hospital.  Leo was born October 17, 1921, in Rush City, MN, the son of Paul and Marie (Heid) Bier.  Lived in Rockford since 1972 coming here from Chicago.  Married Jane E. Daly in Woodstock on May 14, 1982. Leo worked as a sales manager in the woodworking division of Mattison Machine Works (A part of Greenlee Manufacturing) for 37 years, retiring in 1990.  He was an Army paratrooper in the European Theater during WWII where he jumped behind enemy lines and was part of Operation Varsity. Leo served during the Occupation of Berlin and participated in the Victory Parade in New York City. He is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he was active in Holy Family Retreats and served as an altar boy when he was young. He enjoyed ballroom dancing.  Leo was a 1939  graduate of Rush City High School and Minneapolis Business College. Survived by his wife, Jane; sisters, Leone Bier and Theresa (Edgar) Smith, both of San Antonio, Tx;  children, Bob (Brenda) Ross, St. Joseph, MO, Theresa Vance, North Royalton, OH, and Renee (Luke) Kehoe, Dardenne Prairie, MO; grandchildren, Jennifer, Janice, Jeffrey and Jared Ross, Amy and Andrew Vance, Justin and Julia Rose Kehoe; great grandchildren,  Jaxon and Noah;  nieces and nephews, Edgar Smith, Jessica Smith, Anne Marie (Kordell) Kennemer, John Paul (Monika) Smith; 4 great nephews.  Predeceased by his parents, brother, Roman Bier, sister, Madeline Bier and grandson, Joshua.  Leo was a  friend of Bill W. for 28 years. Funeral Mass will be held at 11AM, Tuesday, January 27, 2009, in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford, Il with Monsignor Thomas E. Bales officiating.  Burial with full Military Honors in Arlington Memorial Park.  Visitation from 5PM until 7PM, Monday, January 26, 2009, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108 with a time of sharing at 6:30PM.Visitation from 10AM until 10:45AM Tuesday at the church. Send online condolences to www.fitzgeraldfh.com.