- Date Of Birth: May 14, 1922
- Date Of Death: June 20, 2015
- State: Illinois
Gilford J. Lenzini, 93, formerly of Sandoval, IL, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Centralia Manor.
He was born May 14, 1922 in Centralia, son of Domenico and Leopolda (Beneventi) Lenzini. Gilford married Lela Mae Hester on November 10, 1956 and she preceded him in death.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Marylin Hester Johnson and husband, Bob of Collinsville, IL, Thomas Hester and wife Rebecca of Mt. Vernon, IL, Ralph Johnnie, Jr. of O’Fallon, MO, and Jo Ann Bain and husband Dean of Centralia, IL and several great-nieces and great-nephews.He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; one sister; Jennie Lenzini; one brother, Ralph Johnnie; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Johnnie and Norma Hester; one brother-in-law, Clyde Hester; and one niece, Janet Hazslip.
Mr. Lenzini graduated from Centralia High School and began working for the Illinois Central Railroad before being called to serve in the United States Army Air Corps. During World War II, he received training for the B-24 aircraft in San Diego. Before being deployed to Manila and later to Japan, he was sent to Liberal, Kansas to train others.
Mr. Lenzini was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon. After the war, he continued his employment with the railroad. He then opened the original Burger Haven Restaurant in Centralia, IL. After retiring from the railroad in 1982, he and his wife operated the Hackney Salvage Store in Sandoval, IL.
Mr. Lenzini enjoyed family dinners, watching golf games and checking the farm crops. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Centralia, IL, a life-time member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, the Farm Bureau, and the V.F.W. #2055.
