Leslie Andrew McKaufsky 's celebrated life on this earth came to an end on August 4, 2006 in Port Byron, Illinois in the home of Bobbie and Connie DeHamer. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was 93 years old. Funeral services will be 10:00AM Tuesday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, IL. Burial will be in Moline Memorial Park Cemetery, Moline, IL. Visitation will be 5-8 PM Monday at the funeral home, where a Liturgy Service will be held at 7:30PM Leslie was born July 24th, 1913 in Moline, Illinois. He was the son of Andrew McKaufsky and Nellie Kasenberg McKaufsky. He married Elleine Due in Crown Point, Indiana in 1939. He later married Hazel Metternick. He attended elementary school in East Moline. He was a graduate of United Township High School and Saint Ambrose College. Leslie owned and operated The Palace Tavern in East Moline with his brother, Gale McKaufsky. After Gale McKaufsky's death in 1956 he continued to operate the tavern until his retirement in 1981. The Palace was a family owned business that began with Leslie's father, Andrew McKaufsky, who opened the tavern after prohibition was repealed in 1934. Leslie was a true gentleman who had a deep respect for the land and wildlife. As a young man he was active in the Boy Scouts of America achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed American History and was especially interested in the life of Abraham Lincoln. He was a proud patriot of the United States of America. He was a World War II Veteran who served in the United States Army, receiving the Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal. He was stationed in the Philippines. He was a member of The American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Rock Island County Beverage Association and Ducks Unlimited. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Nellie McKaufsky, brother Gale McKaufsky, sister Cleone McKaufsky Farwell, nephew Jerry Schadt and very special friend Rosetta "Pat" Hill. He is survived by his sister, Dorathy Peterson of East Moline; his nephew and wife Bobbie and Connie DeHamer, Port Byron with whom he lived; nephews and spouses Jack and Betty DeHamer, East Moline; Gary and Betty Peterson, Brookville, Ohio; Jeff Peterson, East Moline; Don and Carol Farwell, Port Byron. Nieces and spouses Amy and Steve Virnig, East Moline; Andrea and Ed Ringer, Brandon, Florida; Adelle and Earl Olson, Val Rico, Florida; Carole Peterson, East Moline; Jan Schadt, Huntley, Illinois. Les is also survived by many great nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the East Moline Ninth Street Commons Memorial Fund for improvements to East Moline's War Memorial. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com