Leo W. "Gus" Sliva, 83, of Olney, died at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2001 at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital in Lawrenceville.  Funeral services at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney with Reverend Father Jerry Wirth officiating. Burial in Lawrenceville City Cemetery.

Mr. Sliva was born on January 31, 1918, in Madison County, the son of William and Mary (Smola) Sliva. He married Mary Elizabeth Collins on November 26, 1942 in Lawrenceville. She survives.

He was a retired music educator at East Richland High School from 1939 to 1977. He was curriculum director the last eight years. He was director of Cummins Municipal Band for 47 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney. He was a member of Illinois Music Educators Association, Phi-Mu-Alpha Music Fraternity, Community Concert Association, Olney Arts Council and B.P.O.E. He was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran.

Mr. Sliva is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Sliva of Olney; three sons, Michael Sliva and his wife, Theresa of West Chicago, Thomas Sliva and his wife, Jan of Flagstaff, Ariz. and John Sliva and his wife, Cindy of Flagstaff, Ariz.; a sister, Margaret Pemberton of Maryville and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Edith, Cecelia and Irene.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)