Leslie “Les” Eastep, 87, of Springfield, IL, passed away at Springfield Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, October 15, 2024; at 11:22 am. Les was born on August 17, 1937, in Springfield, IL to Paul Eastep and Frances Gardiner Eastep. He married Sara Lieber in July of 2020, and she survives.
He is also survived by his stepsons, Mark Alan Cogan and Charles Kenneth Cogan and his brother, Lawrence Eastep.
Preceding him in death are his parents; his first wife, Linda; daughter, Elizabeth Ann (Rodney) Gresham; and a brother, Donald Eastep.
Les was a member of the Temple B’rith Sholom. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force and Navy. He worked at IDOT for the State of Illinois for 31 years and then taught driver safety for 21 years.
Les was a chilli enthusiast; where he considered himself “weaned on chilli.” He even won several award-winning chilli competitions. He had a commercial pilot’s license. In Les’ free time, he was very involved in our community, including SPARC, Habitat for Humanity, Co-operative extension service, Children’s Miracle Network, AARP, Lincoln Land Community College Board of Directors and active in the Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL).
Les became a member of UCT’s Capitol Council 95 in 1965. He became a Past Counselor in 1982 and was elected Secretary/Treasurer in 1997. He has been awarded every honor that his council can bestow upon a member.
Les chaired the Supreme Committee on Mental Disabilities in 2000 and the State of the Order Committee in 2003. He was appointed chairman of the Esamining Finance Committee for 2004. He served on the Supreme Jurisprudence Committee in 2001 and 2002. He was a member of ISTA and the Grand Counselor’s Association.
Visitation: 9 – 11 am, Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Staab Funeral Home- Springfield with Rabbi Greg Kanter officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.
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