Leon Salvadore "Sonny" Miletello, Jr.

Funeral services for Mr. Leon Salvador Miletello, Jr. will be held at 1:00PM on Monday, November 4, 2024, at First West Baptist Church – West Monroe with Rev. Mark Fenn officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paschal’s Catholic Church Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home West Monroe. Visitation will be from 11:00AM until service time at the church. 

Leon Salvador “Sonny” Miletello, Jr. was born September 21, 1942, in Maringouin, Louisiana, and passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024. The world became a little smaller, a little quieter, and a lot less bright without Leon “Sonny” Miletello in it. You would be hard pressed to find someone in North Louisiana (and beyond) who didn’t know Leon. His personality was much (much) bigger than he was, and his presence filled any room he entered. His laugh, his stories, and his love were all contagious in ways that you could only know once you experienced them. 

 Leon graduated from West Monroe High School in 1960 and remained a dedicated supporter of the athletic program, even earning himself the honor of Distinguished Alumni. Shortly after, he married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Cox. Then in 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Polk, where he served two years. He went on to earn a business degree from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM). Leon met Gayle, to whom he was married for 48 years.

He was an illustrious businessman and pioneered video gaming in North Louisiana. He was the Former owner and operator of LSM Gaming. He also owned several restaurants in his lifetime.

 In addition to his support for West Monroe High, he was a proud LSU and Yankees fan. He spent his free time on the golf course and hunting with his family and friends (and had many a story to share from those hunts). 

 Leon would lend a hand to help anyone in need. He was rarely seen without a smile on his face, and he was as generous as he was benevolent. He lived large and celebrated every occasion at the next level. 

 Although he loved sports, hunting, and golfing, there was nothing he loved more than his daughters, Cindy, Debbie, Joey and Stephanie, or his seven grandchildren. His love for them knew no bounds. He would often attend multiple sporting events or dance recitals in one day. He was a proud Papa. The most important things in his life were his family, faith and generosity.

 Leon spent time with his special friend, Cherry Genusa. Cherry was by his side through many good and hard times with his health the last couple of years. 

 While the last year of his earthly life was one filled with struggles and pain, we are all at peace knowing that he is finally home in his final resting place, surrounded by loved ones who only wait for us to join them in eternity. The family is especially grateful to the numerous caregivers who made the last year of his life as comfortable as possible. 

 He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon Sr. and Katie Miletello, brother Gerald Miletello, son-in-law Scotty Stone and son-in-law Scott Griffis.

 He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Stone, Debbie Herrington (Blake), Joey Miletello (Greg), Stephanie Osborne (Tony), grandchildren, Hanna (Jarrad), Haley, Piper (Tyler), Cody (Cerene), Peyton, Connor and Cade (Stephanie): great grandchildren, Luke, Emma, Chandler, Carson, Herrington-Kate, Scottie, and Edie; sister, Jo Louise Worthey (Dickie); and brother, Ronnie Miletello (Patty), and sister in law, Pam Miletello..

Pallbearers will be Cody Stone, Cade Stone, Connor Osborne, Peyton Griffis, Jim Worthey, Ricky Worthey, Blake Herrington, Tony Osborne, and Greg Blau. Honorary pallbearers will be Dickie Worthey, Freddie Hamel, Fred McGaha, Steve Sills, Chuck Lee, C.A. Lowe, Ad Walker, Allen Taylor, James Osborne, Jackie Clowers, Billy Perot, Buddy Fisher, and Fred Hooter

Leon will be missed by many and will live on through his family and the many lives of those whom he met along the way. We know he is up there giving a kiss to those who went to heaven before him. 

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.