Leon Rocker Obituary

GIFFORD - Leon Rocker, 82, of Gifford passed into the arms of his savior on Friday (Aug. 1, 2025) at Country Health Care & Rehab, Gifford.

Leon was born Oct. 4, 1942, to Chris and Anna (Osterbur) Rocker. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gifford and sang in the choir. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Champaign, where he selected the rose bushes and other plants for the church's garden and worked in the food pantry.

His parents preceded him in death, along with a nephew and a niece.

Leon is survived by four sisters, Eileen (Kenny) Owens of Howard, Colo., Pauline (Mike) Clements of St. Joseph, Lois Forster of Chevy Chase, Md., and Patricia (Terry) Evans of Mahomet; three nephews; two nieces; and many great- and great-great-nephews and -nieces.

He made a home with John Short, his life partner of 32 years, in Champaign until John's passing in 2005. He then moved to the farm near Gifford with his dad and sister Eileen. 

At an early age, he began helping his dad and mom with farming and continued helping on the farm until they retired in 1982.

Leon graduated from Armstrong High School in 1960. He attended Illinois Commercial College after high school. A few years later, he obtained a certificate as a phlebotomist from St. Elizabeth's in Danville and worked at Country Health Care & Rehab and for a local doctor drawing blood.

Leon's passion for gardening started at an early age. His love of plants and flowers eventually led him to a position at Prairie Gardens in Champaign. He worked there for about 35 years, helping numerous customers and becoming the shrub lot manager. After Leon retired from Prairie Gardens, he gardened for others.

His sisters would like to thank the staff of Country Health Care & Rehab and Carle Hospice for the wonderful care he received, and the many visitors of family and friends.

A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Grace Lutheran Church, 313 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign, officiated by Pastor Chris Repp. Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center's Lux Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul, is honored to be assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made in Leon's name to Grace Lutheran Church, Country Health Care & Rehab or the Carle Hospice program at Carle Health Care Philanthropy.

Please join Leon's family in sharing memories, photos and video on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.