Leo A. Muhlach, 86, of Mendota died in his home Dec. 24, 2011, with his loving wife by his side after a 30-year battle with cancer. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Merritt Funeral Home , Mendota. Deacon Vincent Slomian will officiate. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota, with military rites by VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. Muhlach was born Aug. 23, 1925, in Somonauk to Vitus and Francis (Ernst) Muhlach. He married Norma L. Hotchkiss on Dec. 9, 1950, in Ashton. He graduated with the class of 1942 from Somonauk High School. He took aerial photographs while stationed in the Philippines with the U.S. Army during World War II. He started his own photography business, Leo's Studio in 1947, and enjoyed taking and printing pictures until his death. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting antiques and cars. He was highly involved in creation of the Mendota Railroad Museum, printing historical pictures. He also painted an entire train car by himself at age 84. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed practical jokes. Survivors are his wife; one son, William Leo (Twila) Muhlach of Murphysboro; two daughters, Susan Kay (Mark) Widloski of Maryville, Tenn., and Lisa Ann McDonnell of Rockford; grandchildren Michelle Hoying, Tara Sellers, Brandon Muhlach, John Widloski, Bryant McDonnell, Katherine Widloski and Evan Widloski; and one great-grandchild Benjamin Hoying. He was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Lazarski. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hume Carnegie Museum, Mendota photo history or hospice.