Rising Sun WWII veteran passes away

(RISING SUN, Ind.) – One of the few remaining World War II veterans in our area has passed away.

Rising Sun native Leroy Guard passed away at the age of 101 on Friday. 

Guard graduated from Dillsboro High School in 1943 and later served in a bomb squadron group in the European Theater. 

He spent time in Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Normandy and Rhineland during his service. 

Leroy started working at Seagram’s in Lawrenceburg after returning home from the war and retired from there in 1987.

He was quite the athlete who played basketball and adult softball over the years. 

“He served several years on the Rising Sun Planning Commission. He was appointed and served on the Lifetime Resources Board. He also served as a Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Ambassador, which helped seniors with Medicare and Medicaid,” his family said. 

Leroy turned 100-years-old in 2024 and he received birthday cards from all over Southeast Indiana. 

One person who sent a card was Batesville senior Damien Dance. He never met Leroy but encouraged all his Bulldog football teammates to sign it. 

The visitation for Leroy will be at Markland Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday.

There is now only one remaining World War II veteran in Ohio County as Bill Elder will turn 100-years-old in February.