Leonard Dee "Sandy" Sutton

Leonard Dee “Sandy” Sutton, 74, passed away at 6:20 a.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Jerseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born on June 9, 1951, in Alton, Illinois, the son of the late Milton “Red” and Luella (Irwin) Sutton. Sandy was a lifelong resident of Jersey County and a proud graduate of Jersey Community High School.

From an early age, Sandy understood the value of hard work, a lesson that would define his life. He began his trucking career with JC Hauling before working alongside his father at Southwest Freight Lines. He later spent the majority of his working years with Consolidated Freightways and later with Yellow Freight, where he built a reputation as one of the most dependable drivers on the road.

Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Sandy logged more than three million accident-free miles, an accomplishment he took great pride in. He was licensed to pull double and triple combinations and became the first driver out of St. Louis to do so. Known to many over the CB radio as “Packrat,” Sandy was a familiar, respected voice on the highways. He was steady, reliable, and always willing to lend a hand or share a word of encouragement with fellow drivers.

A self-described workaholic, Sandy never shied away from long hours or hard days. He found purpose in staying busy and providing for his family, and he was grateful for the many beautiful sights and places he experienced along the way. Whether behind the wheel of a semi or operating heavy equipment, he took pride in doing things the right way.

Strong-willed and stubborn in the best sense of the word, Sandy stood firmly by what he believed in and by the people he loved. He was fiercely loyal to his wives and his family and devoted himself fully to those closest to him.

Sandy also had a lifelong passion for motorsports. He enjoyed sprint car racing, drag racing, and NASCAR, finding joy in speed, competition, and the camaraderie that came with it.

In October of 1971, he married his first wife, Jackie, with whom he shared nearly 7 cherished years before her passing in April of 1978. Though her loss was deeply felt, Sandy considered himself truly blessed to find love again when he married Christina in August of 1985. Together they built a life filled with devotion and companionship until her passing in December of 2016.

He is survived by his children, Tommy (Mindy) Sutton of Grafton, Len (Amber) Sutton of Belleville, and Holly (Brian) Sievers of Grafton; four beloved grandchildren, Mason, Daelynn, Kenna, and Ayla; and his sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Dale Huey of Grafton.

In addition to his parents and his wives, he was preceded in death by his brother, Milton Francis “Rusty” Sutton, and two angel grandchildren, Christian Lee and Ezekiel Dante Sutton.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of memorial services at 12 p.m.  on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, with Rev. Tom Foster officiating. Inurnment will follow at Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be given to the family, in care of the funeral home.

Sandy will be remembered as a hardworking provider, a loyal husband and father, a proud professional driver, and a man whose voice, “Packrat”, echoed across countless miles of open road. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the work he was proud of, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

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