Leslie "Les" Moore

Leslie “Les” Clarence Moore, “more or less”, age 66 of Beardstown, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at his home.

He was born February 15, 1956, in Georgetown, OH, the son of Norman Lowell and Mary Clara Schwada Moore. He married Ava June Rebman on December 23, 1978.

He is survived by his wife Ava Moore of Beardstown; two daughters Elizabeth Moore of Bradley and Amberly “Amy” (husband Zachary) Kane of Loami; one granddaughter Adeline Grace Kane; one sister Miriam (husband Mike) Luginbill of Boise, ID; two brothers Lowell (wife Betty) Moore of Colorado Springs, CO and Leon (wife Marcia) Moore of Schaumburg; his father and mother-in-law William and Beverly Rebman of Beardstown; two sisters-in-law Arla (husband Bruce) Bain of South Berwick, ME and Karen (husband Kent) Gutmann of Ashland; 16 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and even more friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Les graduated from Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School in the class of 1975. He later received his bachelor’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 1981, where he majored in religion and met the love of his life. He was on the wrestling and football teams in both high school and college. He furthered his education by receiving an associate degree in computer science from Brown Mackie College. Les worked as a Computer Programmer Analyst for Franklin Life Insurance for 10 years and finished his programming career after 26 years with the State of Illinois retiring on July 1, 2022. He drove for Black’s Van Service in Beardstown. He pastored at both the Mount Sterling Church of the Nazarene where he was ordained in 1999 and was currently a pastor at Grace Place Church of the Nazarene in Jacksonville.

Les loved learning. He enjoyed science, geology, and watching documentaries, especially when the topic was World War II. His greatest passion was his love for God and continuing to learn all the truths of the gospel. Les lived his life for God. He ministered all his life in the Church of the Nazarene and went where God led him.

He had a passion for people and the performing arts such as acting, clowning, singing, and magic. Over the years he participated in community plays, church and VBS skits, church choirs, clowning in parades and other community settings, preaching “in character”, and magic shows for children and children-at-heart. He never lost sight of the people in these endeavors. He always did these things to bring joy to others and to give glory to God. Even being mistaken for Santa in his later years brought him delight. He ultimately directed the attention heavenward to remind everyone of the source of the gifts he was given as best illustrated in the reminder he always included in his magic shows: how his magic can easily trick the eye, but it is God who performs true miracles.

Les was a proud husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He enjoyed games, cards, music, and art. He often created elaborate sets for church and had a gift to make anything out of cardboard.  He had a creative mind and was always willing to give his unique perspective on things. Les believed the treasures he wanted to lay up in heaven were the people he met and spent his life sharing Christ with others in a desire to fulfill that mission. Those who knew and loved him most will continue to see his mission through until they are reunited one day in the Kingdom of God.

Memorial services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. A private family burial will be held at a later date. The family will meet with friends from 4-6 PM Friday at the memorial home. Mr. Moore’s services will be streaming live at 10 AM Saturday on his obituary page on the memorial home’s website.

Memorials have been suggested to Nazarene Compassionate Ministry and Project H.O.O.D. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.