Leo Kilburn, age 78, passed away in the early morning hours of January 7, 2025, surrounded by family. Visitation will be held at Morrison Funeral Home, Central Heights (Florence, AL) on Monday, January 13, 2025 from Noon until 2:00 PM with a celebration of life beginning at 2:00 PM with burial in the Central Heights Community Cemetery , weather permitting. Bro. Greg Eaton will be officiating. He will be having a full military service by the Marine Corps.
Leo was born on December 18, 1946, to the late John Henry and Mary Ruth Riley Kilburn in Waynesboro, TN. He shared his birthday with his identical twin brother, Cleo, and it’s rumored that he kicked his brother out first so he could have more room. He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1964 and enlisted in the Marines. He served during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Okinawa, Japan and Da Nang, Vietnam after graduating from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. When he returned back home from Vietnam, he joined the apprenticeship program with TVA, became a Boilermaker, and was a Union member of Boilermakers Local 455 in Muscle Shoals, AL. He retired in 2006. He married the love of his life, Earline on March 6, 1971, and they were married almost 54 years. He was a longtime member of Central Heights Baptist Church of Florence, AL. He was a member of the Gideons International and enjoyed giving out bibles on 1st Fridays in Downtown Florence and to 5th graders at the local schools. He was a man of GOD and it showed in his daily life. He never hesitated to tell anyone about Jesus, even when he had his stroke. He asked everyone that came in his room at the hospital if they knew Jesus because if they didn’t, he’d be glad to tell them about him. He was a loving husband, dad, brother, papaw and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents John Henry & Mary Ruth Riley Kilburn and his sister, Linda Nowlin.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 54 years, Earline Newborn Kilburn, daughter Leigh Ann Kilburn, grandson Austin Blurton(Catherine), granddaughter Brianna Hurtubise(Michael), Twin brother Cleo Kilburn (Tracy), sister Doris Heidbrink, sister Judy Kilburn McDonald(Larry), great grandsons Whitten & Banks Blurton and Lincoln Hurtubise. Numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers will be his grandson Austin Blurton, nephews Brian Newborn, Eric Newborn, Brandon Newborn, Matthew Ray and Dewayne Brewer. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews Cameron McDonald, Drake Ray and grandson in law Michael Hurtubise.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Gideons International. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2nd Timothy 4:7-8
