Leo E. Gonzales, age 86, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 11th in Mount Laurel. He was born September 7, 1929 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He was a 45-year resident of New Jersey. He will be remembered as a generous mentor, born leader, avid traveler, and devoted friend, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends during the holidays and sporting events. He spent his early retirement helping to raise his grandchildren. Leo and his late wife Renate enjoyed bowling throughout their lives. He took pleasure in authentic German and Mexican food as well as reading about military history, sports autobiographies, crime novels, and the local newspapers. Leo was a veteran and served during the Panama occupation, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars, where he earned several medals and Unit Citations. He served with distinction in the US Army for 24 years and retired from military service in 1972. He rose up the ranks to become Chief Warrant Officer II. He attended Pennsylvania State University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and took classes through the University of Maryland and the University of San Francisco. He also attended the Military Police School in Fort Gordon, Georgia and later became a Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Division. His expertise was fingerprint identification technology and forensic support. He investigated many difficult criminal and felony cases throughout his career. Leo made monumental strives during his time in Europe by building close relationships with local German Police magistrates. He later became the Head Police Chief Officer of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama and was responsible for law enforcement, espionage and terroristic activity. In his civilian life, Leo became a Probation Officer for Camden County Probation in New Jersey and served 13 years. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the US Army never left him, as his friends and family will attest. Leo was preceded in death by his wife Renate (Trackert); his parents, Ramon and Henrietta (Mujeres) Gonzales; his brothers, Paul Gonzales, Thomas Gonzales; living siblings, his sister Mary Watkins, his brother, Gene Gonzales; three children and their spouses, Maria and Paul Simmons of Guyton, Georgia, Alex and Joan Gonzales of Marlton, New Jersey and Christina Stark of Belleville, Michigan; grandchildren Alisha, Jonathan, Justin, Michelle, Paige, Brooke and Stacy, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, grandnephews, nieces, grandnieces and friends who are blessed to have known him. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Leo on Wednesday, November 18th at 1:00 PM at the outdoor committal memorial shelter at the BGWCD Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road in Wrightstown, NJ. Please meet at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main Street, New Egypt, NJ 08533 (www.tilghmanfh.com) from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for a calling hour. A caravan will drive to the cemetery in procession. Due to cemetery restrictions, memorial contributions in Leo’s memory may be made to the Disabled Veterans Association (www.dav.org/) in lieu of flowers.