Leonard J. Schmelzle, 87, of Seneca, KS, died Saturday morning October 18, 2008 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born September 24, 1921, on a farm northeast of Emmett, KS, the son of George and Catherine Tholl Schmelzle. He attended Halligan School for six years; then in 1932, the family moved to Kelly where he attended Old Lincoln School. Leonard worked on the family farm until he entered the U.S. Army in August 1942 during World War II. He was with a searchlight battalion around Washington, DC until February 1945 when he was shipped overseas. He served at Leyte in the Philippines on searchlight duty until he was discharged on February 1, 1946. He returned home to farm with his dad.

On April 10, 1950, he married Thelma Meyer at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived on the home place southeast of Seneca. They farmed, raised livestock, and operated a small dairy. In June 1984 they moved to Seneca. He worked at the Nemaha County Landfill for several years. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April 2000.

Leonard was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus #1769, all in Seneca. He and his wife Thelma were instrumental in organizing the Nemaha County Training Center, where he served on the board for many years. His many community activities included volunteering for Meals on Wheels, running bingo at Crestview care home, as an usher at the church for many years, helping at the Mission Center, and numerous other activities. While they lived in Kelly, he was on the Kelly School Board. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and some woodworking. Leonard was known as a good and helpful neighbor.

Survivors are his wife Thelma of the home; two sons, Dennis and Keith, both of Seneca; three daughters, Diane Bach of Oklahoma City, OK, and Rebecca “Becky” and Jane Schmelzle, both of the Seneca; two brothers, Frank of Kansas City, MO, and Leo of Seneca; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Albert and Carl Schmelzle.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 AM Monday, October 20, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military honors. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Nemaha County Training Center, and sent in care of the family.

Leonard J. Schmelzle, 87, of Seneca, KS, died Saturday morning October 18, 2008 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born September 24, 1921, on a farm northeast of Emmett, KS, the son of George and Catherine Tholl Schmelzle. He attended Halligan School for six years; then in 1932, the family moved to Kelly where he attended Old Lincoln School. Leonard worked on the family farm until he entered the U.S. Army in August 1942 during World War II. He was with a searchlight battalion around Washington, DC until February 1945 when he was shipped overseas. He served at Leyte in the Philippines on searchlight duty until he was discharged on February 1, 1946. He returned home to farm with his dad.

On April 10, 1950, he married Thelma Meyer at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived on the home place southeast of Seneca. They farmed, raised livestock, and operated a small dairy. In June 1984 they moved to Seneca. He worked at the Nemaha County Landfill for several years. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April 2000.

Leonard was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the St. Joseph Society, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus #1769, all in Seneca. He and his wife Thelma were instrumental in organizing the Nemaha County Training Center, where he served on the board for many years. His many community activities included volunteering for Meals on Wheels, running bingo at Crestview care home, as an usher at the church for many years, helping at the Mission Center, and numerous other activities. While they lived in Kelly, he was on the Kelly School Board. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and some woodworking. Leonard was known as a good and helpful neighbor.

Survivors are his wife Thelma of the home; two sons, Dennis and Keith, both of Seneca; three daughters, Diane Bach of Oklahoma City, OK, and Rebecca “Becky” and Jane Schmelzle, both of the Seneca; two brothers, Frank of Kansas City, MO, and Leo of Seneca; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Albert and Carl Schmelzle.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 AM Monday, October 20, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military honors. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Nemaha County Training Center, and sent in care of the family.