Harold Leslie Camden

Harold Leslie Camden

(May 22, 1936 – Jan 2, 2023)

Harold Leslie “Les” Camden , 86, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 8:55 a.m. Monday, January 2, 2023 in his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 8, 2022 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Tim Yankee officiating.  Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL.  Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Les was born on May 22, 1936 in Stonefort, IL, the son of Loren Lee and Mary Ellen Elizabeth (Loless) Camden.  He graduated from Golconda High School and then earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL.  Les continued his education at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, earning his Master’s degree in Earth Sciences.  He married Ora Oveda Carroll on December 17, 1960.  Les was a Chemistry teacher at Shelbyville High School for over 35 years, retiring in 1995. In the summertime, Les taught Outdoor Education for children and also worked for Harry Boedecker on his landscaping crew.   He enjoyed gardening, caring for his orchard, working puzzles (Cryptogram, Crossword and Sudoku) and spending time with his family.  He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and loved watching Wheel of Fortune and Match Game.  Les will be remembered as a kind, generous and thoughtful man.

Les is survived by his wife, Oveda; son, Tony Camden (Barbara) of  Chatham, IL; daughters, Deborah Camden of  Springfield, IL and Mary McGill (Michael) of Buffalo Grove, IL; grandchildren, Matthew, Marshall and Mikayla; step-grandchildren, Rachel and Stacy; and great grandson, Jaden.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Dorothy Armstrong (Fred), Alice Landrum (Al) and Betty Preston (Mike).