Lester James McRoy, 85, of Du Quoin, passed away at 2:45 A.M., Friday, April 29, 2005 at the Skilled Care Unit of the Pinckneyville Community Hospital.
Les was born on July 30, 1919 in Du Quoin, the son of Harry and Marie( Holecek) McRoy.
 He graduated from Du Quoin High School with the class of 1939. He joined the Navy in 1942 during World War II to pursue his love of Flying. He became an aviation ordnance man 2nd. Class and was a gunner on an SBC dive bomber on the USS Aircraft Carrier Belleau Wood. After the war he returned home and married Mary Louise Causer on June 25, 1945 at Du Quoin, IL
When he was younger Les passed the Du Quoin Evening Call. He worked at the Economy Variety Store, Conway Home Appliances, Lasco Auto Supply and lastly at Lincoln Auto Supply where he worked for forty years and retired on Sept. 1, 1989 as manager. He was a US Navy veteran and a life member of the Du Quoin American Legion Post. He served as commander for the Du Quoin VFW Post in 1953 and 1954. He was a life member of the disabled veterans. He was a member and served as chaplain for the Du Quoin Eagles Club Aerie 779. He was a longtime Rotarian and past president. In the past he was very active in boy scouting and was a member of the order of the arrow. During his tenure he helped found the flag project. He also help start the project of placing the memorial white crosses in front of the post office for veterans day, which was part of his patriotism and love of his country. He had also been involved in Khoury League baseball in earlier years. Les was an elder and charter member of the Spirit of Life Christian Church in Du Quoin.
Les spent many hours building model planes, collected coins, gardening and enjoying his family.
He is survived by his wife Mary of Du Quoin, three children- Sherry Crone and husband Tom of Vernon Hills, IL, Penny Edie and husband Leonard of Pinckneyville and Michael McRoy and wife Pat of Du Quoin, grandchildren- Stacha Crone, Tom Crone and wife Dana, Henry Crone and wife Kelly, Eric McRoy and wife Samatha, Andrew Edie, Meredith Edie, Christopher and Angela McRoy, Angela Kissell and husband Cameron, great grandchildren- Tyler James McRoy, Michael Shane McRoy and Evelyn Diann Kissell.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother- Marshall McRoy.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M., Monday, May 2, 2005 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Gerald Wright officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Interment will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin American Legion and Du Quoin VFW.
Friends may make memorials to the Spirit of Life Christian Church or the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.	
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.
