Published: October 27, 2009 06:58 pm      

Leonard Hand

Leonard Wayne Hand, 95, of Mt. Vernon, died Oct. 27, 2009, at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon.



He was born in Arkansas on July 14, 1914, the son of James A. Garfield and Elva Florence (Whalen) Hand.



He married Mildred Idell Rich on Dec. 17, 1935, in Mt. Vernon. They were married by the Rev. Sam McCoy in his home. Mr. and Mrs. Hand owned and operated Hand’s Market on the Old Fairfield Road for 28 years. After retiring they made their home in Florida during the winter months.



Mr. Hand was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. He was a veteran of World War II and was awarded the purple heart.



He is survived by his wife, Mildred; one sister, Pauline Gardner of Winter Haven, Fla.; one sister-in-law, Zela Rich of LaPorte, Ind.; a brother-in-law, J.D. Mayberry of Winter Haven, Fla.; three nephews, Robert Mayberry and wife Loretta of St. Charles, Wayne Mayberry and wife Mary of Missouri and Jim Mayberry and wife Pat of Waukegan; three nieces, June Pigg of Texico, Vernadine Witt of Clinton and Barbara and husband Don of Arizona.



Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers; four sisters, Norma Pigg of Mt. Vernon, Edna Ward of Decatur, Virda Hand of Wayne City and Nadine Mayberry of Winter Haven, Fla.; three nephews, Gary Pigg of Alabama, Donald Pigg and Tom Pigg of Mt. Vernon; and two nieces, Cora Bell Palmer and Betty Miller of Mt. Vernon.



In honor of Mr. Hand’s wishes, there will be no public visitation.



Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Crisel Cemetery in Dahlgren with the Rev. Joe Bob Pierce officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.



Johnston Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon is in charge of the arrangements.