Tupelo – Leonard “Len” S. Shane, 76, passed away Wednesday July 19, 2017 at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born April 20, 1941, to Murray and Mae Shane in Chicago, Illinois.
Len grew up in Galesburg, Illinois and graduated from Galesburg High School. He spent his early life as an athlete, musician, coach and teacher. He attended Northwestern University and finished up his Liberal Arts degree at Shimer College. Later, he received a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from University of Iowa. Leonard was an executive at Leggett and Platt, until his retirement in 2007. After his retirement, he and his wife, Betty, traveled extensively throughout the United States and the World. Leonard enjoyed gardening, reading and playing golf with his friends. He was president of Temple of B’nai Israel and active in the Link Center in Tupelo.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Betty Barnes Opiala Shane of Tupelo; two children, Michael S. Shane of Memphis, Tennessee and F. Matthew Shane (Angela) of Charlotte, North Carolina; granddaughter, Bella Rae Shane; brother, Warren Shane (Tammy) of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; brother-in-law, Thomas Spencer of Denton Texas; sister-in-law, Amelia Kay Nutter (Raymond) of Kenosha, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Eva E. Barnes of Tupelo and nephew, Jeffrey A. Nutter. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Buddy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and mother of his two children, Janis Lee Shane; nephew, Jonathan Nutter; an infant brother and his father-in-law, Quinn O’Neal Barnes.
Visitation will be held 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, July 23, 2017. Visitation will continue 1 until 2 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017 at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2017 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Marc Perler, lay leader of Temple B'nai Israel, officiating followed by graveside services at Lee Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be son, Matthew Shane and friends, Ron Baker, Tom Ethridge, Bob Lehman, B. L. Phillips, and Jimmy Todd.
Honorary pallbearers will be son, Michael Shane and friends, Bobby Hankins, Billy Hare, Darrell Pack and George Williams.
Memorial may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.