ROCHELLE — Leonard Edwin Dewey, 68, of Rochelle, passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2024, after a long illness. He was born on January 11, 1956, in DeKalb, the son of Lois (Larsen) Bishop and Larry Edwin Dewey. He was a graduate of Rochelle Township High School. He married Rose Ann Magnuson on June 1, 1986, and was a loving husband to Rose for 38 years. He was the proud father of Matthew Edwin Dewey.

He was employed by A.O. Smith, was the manager of Sunset Liquors for many years, and he retired from Master Graphics. He was a lifelong history lover and trivia buff, who always had a joke or a funny story to tell. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Rochelle Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his wife Rose and son Matt, both of Rochelle; his aunt Hope Willrett of Malta; his sisters and brother: Lori (Mike Cudden) Anderson of DeKalb; Lindon (Yvonne) Dewey of Stillman Valley; Christine (Theodore) Berg of Lake Norden, SD; and Pamela (Richardson) Juárez of DeKalb. He was preceded in death by his parents. His body will be donated to science. There will be no funeral services, but a celebration of Leonard’s life will be held on October 19 from 1–5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Rochelle. Special thanks go to the caring nurses and doctors at Rochelle Hospital Family Healthcare Clinic, Castor Home Nursing, OSF Home Health & Hospice, and OSF Cancer Center. Thank you to Leonard’s family and his many friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Cancer Center, OSF Home Health & Hospice, or the Rochelle Moose Lodge.