Man's body recovered from Genoa grain bin

GENOA, Ill. (WLS) -- A grain bin accident near Genoa claims the life of a former volunteer firefighter who had worked for the department that was called in to try to rescue him.

Flags at the fire department are at half-staff and will remain that way until the funeral. Until then, this tight-knit community has come together to try and help the family.

Neighbors volunteered their tractor trailers to haul away some 10,000 bushels of corn spilled after rescuers cut holes in the bin to try and rescue 73-year-old Leon Madey.

The sheriff office says he was working high above the corn bin trying to unclog it and fell in.

Madey was firefighter at this station for 25 years.

"He was a great guy," said Chief Bruce Kozlowski, Genoa Kingston Fire Dept. "Hard worker, good farmer, good firefighter. It's pretty tough for everybody, especially in a smaller community."

He was reported missing just before 1 o'clock Monday afternoon when family members that had left, returned and couldn't find him.

Firefighters drained the bin before going inside to search for Madey and a little after 4 o'clock pulled his body from the bin.

"My hats off to them," said Randy Jennings, Genoa Kingston Fire Dept. "I don't know how many people were asked to come, but I do know many people heard about it and just came running."

An autopsy is being performed to figure out exactly Madey died. His family was there when his body was pulled from the bin.