In Memory of Leo Daproza
Leo Daproza, age 100, of Braham died on August 22, 2010 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 27th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Mr. Tom Clark officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Braham Mission Covenant Cemetery.
Leo Daproza was born on January 10, 1910 in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, on the island of Luzon in the Philippine Islands. He came to the states when he was 17 years, resided in California where he first bussed tables and then worked as a chauffeur for Walter Ferris (Author of the book “Heidi”), and chauffeured Joan Crawford around Hollywood. He moved to Chicago after he chauffeured a client from California to Chicago. While living in Chicago he worked for the US Government as a paper cutter and retired early because of damage done to his eyes due to glaucoma.
He married June Javier on March 7, 1942. A short time later he served in the first Filipino Infantry during WWII for the U.S. Army from September 1942 until January 1946. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands as a Military Policeman during the war. He earned 1 service stripe, 3 overseas service bars, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, w/2 Bronze Battle Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal. He became an American Citizen on December 24, 1946.
Leo was very handy around the house and came up with many inventions of his own. His hobbies included fishing, playing cards and gardening in his backyard. He loved his dogs and sharing his past with anyone interested in listening. He was very handy with his hands and could weave hats and baskets out of palm leaves. He could actually tie his own fishing nets and could tie an excellent knot on fish hooks.
Leo Daproza passed away on August 22, 2010 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West in Cambridge at the age 100 years, 7 months, 1 week, and 2 days. He is preceded in death by his parents Teodata and Pablo Daproza, two sisters Agapita (Apit) Calibuso and Hilaria (Ayang) Dagdagan, one brother Tubercio (Dick) Daproza, one half-brother Silvestre (Vestrie) Daproza, one son-in-law Robert Torgeson, and two grandchildren Mert Torgeson and Tiffany Daproza.
Leo is survived by his wife June of Braham, daughter, Linda Torgeson of Braham, two sons Jerry (Kim) Daproza of Channahon, IL, and Kenneth (Beverly) Daproza of Pacoima, CA, six grandchildren, Justine Schindeldecker, Mikeael Torgeson, Todd Daproza, Keith Daproza, Kym Barry and Kevin Daproza, 12 great-grandchildren, Rich Schindeldecker, Kate Shannon, Linda Shannon, Alex Schindeldecker, Tony Torgeson, Stephanie Hogue, Laura Torgeson, Dane Daproza, Elizabeth Torgeson, Hailey Daproza, Zoe Barry and Kailee Daproza, six great-great- grandchildren, Jovita Torgeson, Izabelle Torgeson, Sophia Hogue, Jaymes Torgeson-Anderson, June Daproza and a Schindeldecker baby to be born in September.
Aunt June, Linda, Jerry, and Ken, We send you our sincerest condolences on the loss of your beloved Leo, husband and father. Grandma Gertrude used to call him Lynn and that is the way we called him for as long as I can remember. I have fond memories of the get togethers at the DaProza homestead on Altgeld (I believe). I remember all the home movies that were made and played often to everyone’s enjoyment. I also fondly remember going out to the Torgeson farm in Braham I think the first time was on our honeymoon which took Karen and I up to Winnepeg in Canada. One of my fondest memories of Uncle Lynn was when he, Aunt June, and Linda came down to Kalamazoo Michigan to visit Grandma Gertrude. We ended up at a German-American dance with Norbert and Barbara and Uncle Lynn danced the night away. I swear he was on the dance floor more than me and his vision was poor but his moves were smooth. Karen and I were blessed in being able to visit Uncle Lynn last year up in Cambridge. I regret we will not be able to share tomorrow with all of you but you can count on our prayers and thoughts on this difficult day. Uncle Lynn will always hold a special place in my heart for his kindness, patience, and perseverance despite his significant sensory impairments. God Bless you all. Vince and Karen.