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Leonard Charles Meton, Janesville (1922 - 2007)

June 10, 1922 - November 25, 2007
Leonard Charles Meton passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 25, 2007, at Cedar Crest Nursing Home. He was born to Mike Meton and Lillian Rogers Meton on June 10, 1922, in Redgranite WI, and he graduated from Redgranite High School with the class of 1940. He worked in South Dakota and in Rockford, IL, before joining the 15th U.S. Army Air Corps on August 1, 1943.
Leonard served as a Radio Operator and Gunner for 30 missions in the 456th Bomb Group, flying in B-24 bombers based in Stornara, Italy. He was missing in action in Nazi-occupied northern Italy in October of 1944 for about two weeks. He and most of his fellow crewmen evaded capture until they came upon allied troops further south who repatriated them. Leonard received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Stars for Air Combat in the Balkans, Po Valley, North Apennines, and Germany Campaigns and he was awarded the Air Medal, 1st Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, 2nd Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged at the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Leonard returned to Wisconsin and married Norma Virginia Peck on July 21, 1945. They resided in Janesville the rest of their lives, raising five sons. He worked primarily as a machinist and as a Process Engineer. He worked for a time with Warner Electric Brake and Clutch Company in South Beloit, and later with Dana Corporation in Edgerton and in Texas. He enjoyed a long retirement, including involvement with hobbies and church affiliation.
Leonard is survived by his 5 sons: Michael (Joyce) of Montgomery, TX, Claire of Rocklin, CA, Dana of Janesville, Joel (Susan) of Machesney Park, IL, and Norlen (Kim) of Green Bay; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Harold (Barbara), of Oshkosh.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Lawrence; his sisters, Elmyra Lorvig and Victoria Stearns; his half-brother, Victor Ebert; his close friend and brother-in-law, Clarence Lorvig; and an infant granddaughter, Kimberly Ann Meton.
A celebration of Leonard's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME, with Steve Dean officiating. A visitation will be held at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside at Milton Lawns Memorial Park following the service.
For online obituary and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
The family would like to thank Cedar Crest Nursing Home, Janesville Dialysis Center, Riverview Clinic, and Mercy Hospital for their tremendous care over the past several years.