Leon A. Blaszczynski, 90, of Benton, IL, died 1:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at his residence. Leon was born on April 9, 1924, in Benton, the son of Victor & Helen (Gostowski) Blaszczynski. He married the former Alice Thompson on September 23, 1950 and she survives. Mr. Blaszczynski served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. He was then drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the carpenters union and worked in the mining industry. He enjoyed crappie fishing, wood working as a master carpenter, bowling and visiting with his friends at Hardee's. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Mitchell Blaszczynski, Theodore Blaszczynski and Carl Blaszczynski and three sisters, Josephine Blaszczynski, Francis Yezerski and Rozelia (Rose) Halupka. Surviving relatives include his wife Alice, one brother, Vincent Blaszczynski and lots of loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton IL. Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the church with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Burial will follow services at Tower Heights Cemetery, West Frankfort, IL with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois.