In the early morning hours of November 29, 2023, Leonard L. Edgcomb, 87, passed peacefully in his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Elizabeth (Supan) Edgcomb and his siblings: Margaret Isabelle (Baker) known as Sis, Delbert, and Glen. He is survived by brothers Thomas Richard known as Dick and Roger. He is also survived by his wife Lois (Kreiser) Edgcomb, children Mark (Charlene), Paula, and Donna (Jeff) Hessenberger, 4 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Edgcomb started life on May 19, 1936, on the third planet from the sun in a little farmhouse in Dimmick Township, Ill. while his parents lived as hired farm hands during the Great Depression. As a child, his family moved to Troy Grove, Ill. where he grew up playing and exploring the same wooded timber as Wild Bill Hickok. He received his book knowledge by attending Troy Grove Grade School and Mendota Township High School. It was at MHS where he would enroll in Building Trade classes and begin "building" his skill set as a highly skilled tradesman.

Edgcomb enlisted and proudly served in the United States Army from 1959-1961. Following basic training at the formerly named Fort Hood, Tex. he returned to Troy Grove and married the love of his life, Lois Kreiser, on Oct. 17, 1959, starting their journey into 64 years of marriage. The newlyweds celebrated their honeymoon during their road trip to his new duty assignment at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the Engineering Corp., where he ironically was not dedicating his time to construction but rather as a pay clerk. The couple returned to Ill. with Mark, the first of his three children, and Paula and Donna would both arrive soon after. He would spend the next 35 years building homes as a master carpenter in the area. In 1990, he changed careers, instead of constructing structures he moved inside as foreman at a cabinet shop until his retirement in 2001.

In the summer of 1969, he built his first family home in Spring Valley, Ill. He enjoyed fishing and took his family on the annual fishing trip to Tomahawk, Wisconsin. On one of these trips, Edgcomb learned a hard lesson. If one foot is left on the dock while the other gets underway with the boat, you will get wet, your family will enjoy a good laugh, and this family vacation story will outlive you. Good grief!

After retirement, he built his "retirement home" on a farm outside his hometown. He stayed busy making furniture and wooden craft items for his four grandchildren Gwen, Adela, Nyla, and Kellsie, and later for his seven great-grandchildren Addison, Zoe, Lazarus, Boaz, Tirzah, Evan, and Silas. Many beautifully designed projects were also shared with members of his church and the community.

When not in the woodshop, he cultivated two large gardens and always shared his fresh produce with family, friends, and local food shelters. He also tried his hand at beekeeping, successfully maintaining 2 hives for many years. Many hours were spent raising chickens, quail, geese, and ducks. The perfect hobby farm came together as the bees would pollinate the apple trees to make honey and the pollinated trees produced delicious fruits. The fowl laid eggs and Edgcomb would bake those ingredients into an incredible apple strudel to share with others. His grandkids and great grandkids will cherish the time spent helping Grandpa make his famous waffles.

When diagnosed later in life with Parkinson's disease, he was known to challenge anyone brave enough to a game of Yahtzee. A puzzle was always laid out in the dining room. The best ones would be glued to display as works of art, once again building something by hand for all to enjoy for years to come. Edgcomb's loving wife, a retired nurse, would step in as his full-time caregiver with assistance from local hospice nurses and many other dedicated healthcare providers. This labor of love would allow him to stay in the home he built until his peaceful passing.

Leonard L. Edgcomb will be known for years to come as a good Christian man who always shared the fruits of his labor with others. He was slow to raise his voice and always worked hard at the task that needed completion.  He was always quick to provide help to others and enjoyed sharing his skilled woodworking projects with anyone who made a request.

At this time his family requests stories/memories can be shared at Merritt Funeral Home website – www.merrittfh.com  In Lieu of  Flowers memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741

In accordance with Leonard's wishes there will be no services. In the spring when the flowers  start to reach for the sky a Celebration of His Life will take place. Peace.