Leo Janis

Leo Janis, 87, of Buffalo Grove, IL formerly of Waukegan, passed away peacefully at Symphony of Buffalo Grove on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Leo was born August 31, 1932 in Milwaukee, WI to Leo and Rose Janis. Leo attended Milwaukee High School; earned his BS in Technology Education in 1956 and his MS in Industrial Education in 1961, both from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. On July 27, 1963, Leo married the love of his life, Lorraine Klister, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Wauwatosa, WI. In 1967, Leo Janis, along with Joe Higgins and Walt Rucks founded Action Athletic Equipment, Inc. All three were teachers and coaches in northern Illinois high schools, Higgins and Janis at Zion-Benton, Rucks at Waukegan. Leo retired from Action Athletics in 2012. Leo also worked as a teacher at Zion-Benton Township High School from 1958-1980 where he taught Industrial Arts and Drivers Education as well as coached football and tennis. Leo attended Immaculate Conception Church in Waukegan. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and his grandchildren. Leo proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. Leo is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Lisa) Janis and Bradley Janis; grandchildren, Madison, Andrew, Alexandria and Grace; sister, Doris Ostmann; son-in-law, Don Borsnik; brother-in-law, Dwaine (Susan) Klister, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Rose Janis; beloved wife, Lorraine, on December 31, 1998; and daughter, Shawn Borsnik, on July 13, 2004. A Celebration of Life Service will be held later in the Spring of 2020. Memorial donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org in Leo’s name.