Leonardo Gibson transitioned from this life into eternal life on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin. He was born on December 25, 1924 to Catherine and Lenard Gibson in Freeman Spur, Illinois. Leonardo received his formal education while he was a student in the Chicago Public School System. While he was a senior in high school, he enlisted in The United States Navy. He then married his first wife Helen Harris. To this union six children were born. Later in life he met Hettie (nee: Searcy) whom he would marry on March 9, 1963. To this union one child was born. He was employed at American Motors Corporation (AMC)/Chrysler on July 13, 1948 where he worked in the body shop and set-up departments. After 40 years of working at AMC he retired in 1988. Leonardo continued to work part-time at The Racine Journal Times and the Metro Auto in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a lifetime member of Local 72, Harley Davidson Chapter and Ponyoka MC/SC Club. In his leisure time he loved gardening, trimming the landscape in different layouts to "out do" the neighbors. Most of all he LOVED, LOVED, LOVED riding his Harley and going to cookouts with the guys, Clint, Moss, Bill, James D., Richard B., Celest, Bickie, Sylvester, Cousin Buck and Ray. He leaves to cherish his memory; his wife Hettie (nee: Searcy); his children, Leonora Gibson of Atlanta, GA, Cynthia Virgin, Roslyn Gibson, Catherine Gibson, all of Chicago, IL and Scott Gibson of Minneapolis, MN; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; sisters, Gail (Jessie) Causey, Evonne (Raymond) Dawson, both of Milwaukee, WI; brothers, Leonard Gibson of Racine, WI; sisters-in-law, Judy Bond of Aurora, CO, Teena Davis of Washington, D.C., Patricia Gibson of Racine, WI; brother-in law, Frazier (Jerri) Searcy of Minneapolis, MN; Godchildren, Denessa Smith, Autumn Andrew and J.J. Andrew, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Leonardo was preceded in death by his parents Catherine and Lenard Gibson, and two children, Leonardo Gibson and Lamar Gibson, four brothers, L.C. Gibson, Kenneth Gibson, Gary Gibson, Donald Gibson, and two sisters, Vicky King and Barbara Gibson. Funeral services, with Full Military Honors, will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Bishop Mark Freeman, officiating. Friends can meet with the family on Friday morning from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Service Details

Funeral services, with Full Military Honors, will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Bishop Mark Freeman, officiating. Friends can meet with the family on Friday morning from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The Service will be livestreamed. Please click on the following link to view: https://youtu.be/F7OCJzjYT5Q