Leo Gossett Jr.

Leo Gossett Jr., 77, of Danville, passed away at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Leo was born on September 21st, 1933, in Franklin County, Illinois, the son of Leo and Ida Jane (Perryman) Gossett Sr. He married Barbara E. Herron on June 13th, 1998 in Danville. She survives. He is also survived by a son- Dr. Tom (Jami) Gossett of Champaign; daughter- Patty (Dr. Ervin) Chafian of Springfield, Illinois; step-son- Tadd (Karen) Herron of Greenville, North Carolina; step-daughter- Dr. Becki Coker of Greenville, North Carolina; two brothers- Forrest Gossett of Benton, Illinois and Sam (Donna) Gossett of Zebulon, North Carolina; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother- George Gossett and a sister- Violet Gunther. Leo graduated from Royalton High School in 1950. He later graduated from Lincoln Bible Institute (Lincoln Christian University) in 1954. Leo started preaching in October of 1951 and served as a resident minister until September of 1968. He later went into private business in various different sales and business management positions, until retiring as a District Manager for Encyclopedia Britannica in 1996. He re-entered Lincoln Christian Seminary in 1996 and graduated in 1999 with his Masters Degree in Counseling. During the past years Leo has worked as a substitute teacher for District #118, in the special education departments and as a supply minister for the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. Leo has been an active alumnus of Lincoln Christian University, serving as a member of the Alumni Board. He was an active member of the Second Church of Christ in Danville, especially on the Mission Team. He was also active in the Boy Scout Troup 390 and served as a Unit Commissioner. He served on the Steering Committee of the Pleasant Meadows Christian Village in Chrisman. He also served as President of the Vermilion Churches of Christ Society. Leo enjoyed traveling including a mission trip to Haiti. He especially enjoyed going to Alaska, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore. He also enjoyed family history, genealogy, cooking and spending time with his family. A Celebration of the life of Leo Gossett Jr. will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 7th, 2011 at Second Church of Christ in Danville, with Dale Deneal officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home. Leo will be laid to rest at a later date in Royalton New Miner Cemetery in Royalton, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Second Church of Christ Mission Fund or to Lincoln Christian University Lincoln, Illinois. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.