Leo H. Foust, died on October 1, 2012 at Genesis Medical Center-Illini Campus, Silvis, IL, following an extended illness. He was 88 years of age. Funeral services will be Friday, October 5, 2012 at 10 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3209 60th Street, Moline, IL. Visitation is 4-7 PM Thursday at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., 1500 6th Street, East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 4PM. Interment will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, with the East Moline American Legion Post 227 conducting military honors. Memorials may be made to Newman Catholic High School, Sterling, or to the family Mr. Foust was born October 3, 1923 in Buena Vista County, Iowa near Storm Lake to Chester Arthur and Grace Ellen (Murray) Foust. Mr Foust was retired from United Township High School after twenty years (1966-1986). He taught Aviation Science, various Co-Op courses and Vocational Machine shop during his tenure. He began his teaching career in 1949 at Catholic Community/Newman Catholic High School in Sterling, IL. He left after 17 years in 1966 after teaching Industrial Education and Algebra, and being involved in Girls Drill Squad, closed circuit TV, and school maintenance. Mr Foust was a Pilot during WWII and continued in the reserves for 23 years following the war. He attained the rank of Major. He was a graduate of Squadron Officers' school and Instructor School Air University of Montgomery AL. He also served as Liaison Officer to the United States Air Force Academy. In 1985 he became co-founder of the search for pilots who graduated from the various WWII pilot training schools. He hosted the first reunion of eleven pilots in 1986. The mailing list grew to over 1500 pilots from the Class 1944 H-I-J. Mr Foust handled all correspondence from 1985-1995 when he co-hosted the reunion in Cleveland OH where he had to bid the members farewell. He thoroughly enjoyed the reunions which were held annually somewhere in the United States. He graduated from Providence High School of Sulphur Springs, IA in 1941. After graduation he attended Lake View Defense school and obtained a job with Glenn L. Martin in Baltimore, MD from which he joined the Army Air Corp. Mr. Foust was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Frances Cecilia Mernin, in Midland, TX in June of 1945. Upon his release from active war duty they resided in Ames, IA where Mr. Foust entered Iowa State University. Upon his graduation in 1949, they moved to Sterling, IL. Leo and Cecilia were married 67 years and were blessed with 5 sons; Larry (Jackie) of Dixon, IL, Terry (Kathleen) also of Dixon, Gary (Jane) of Sterling, IL, Michael (Peggy) of Colorado Springs, CO and Leo (Kelley) of Georgetown TX. There are 18 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Mr. Foust was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Jane Foust. The family would like to show their appreciation to the staff at Hope Creek, East Moline for the thoughtfulness and care shown to Leo over the past 3 years. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com

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