Leroy J. Scheckel

SCHECKEL, ANTON, WINGERT, CHAPMAN, MILLER, WILSON, CHENSVOLD, VALINSKI, MCALLISTER, BRENAUER, FERNANDEZ

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 1/11/2008 at 01:44:21

Aug. 21, 1933 - July 26, 2007
HAZLETON - Leroy J. Scheckel, 73, died at his home Thursday, July 26, 2007, after a lengthy illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 30, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein, with Father Harry Koelker officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hazleton.
Friends may call from 2 until 8 p.m. Sunday at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein, with a 7 p.m. rosary and scripture service.
Leroy John Scheckel was born Aug. 21, 1933 in Strawberry Point, the son of Elmer P. and Laura C. (Anton) Scheckel. He grew up in the Arlington area and graduated from Arlington High School in 1951. From 1947 to 1951 he was in the Civil Air Patrol. On June 15, 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was a pilot at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri and San Antonio, Texas, honorably discharged March 17, 1958. He served in the National Guard until 1970.
On May 28, 1956, he was united in marriage to Bertha Wingert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Leroy was a farmer and a commercial refrigeration mechanic. As a pilot, Leroy could fly both planes and helicopters. He was known as "The Ice Cream Man" and always had an ice cream machine going to feed anyone who was around. He was very handy and could fix anything.
Leroy had a very strong faith in his church and in his life. Because all are created in God's image and likeness, as beautiful people, Leroy chose to address those of the female gender as "Pretty Lady." Leroy touched a lot of lives and made many friends. Along with his loving family, all will miss him dearly.
Leroy is survived by his wife Bertha; his children, Mary (Richard) Chapman of Oelwein, Joseph Scheckel of Hazleton, Theresa (Marc) Miller of Oelwein, Rose Scheckel of Oelwein, Mark Scheckel of Hazleton and Elmer (Tracey) Scheckel of Oelwein; a daughter-in-law, Julie Wilson of Guttenberg; and a son-in-law, Mark Wilson of Center Point; 12 grandchildren, Kimmie Wilson, Sarah Chapman, Beth (Shawn) Chensvold, Troy and Kristy Miller, Jesse Scheckel, Kalliope Valinski (Matt McAllister), Carrie and Adam Scheckel, Riggs, Toni and TJ. Scheckel; seven great-grandchildren, Blake, A.J., Brady, Presley and Chase Bernauer, Lilly Chensvold and Tydus McAllister; a step-granddaughter, Angela (Chapman) Fernandez; and a step-great-grandson AJ. Bernauer.
He was preceded in death by his son Anthony "Tony" Scheckel; a brother, Julius Scheckel; a step-grandson, Mitchell Chapman; and his parents.
The entire Scheckel family extends sincere thanks to Cedar Valley Hospice, Auxi Care, Father Fangmann, Father Koelker, Mercy Hospital, Covenant Rehab, University of Iowa Hospitals, Chuck Geilenfeld, Mark Grobner, Deb Scharnhorst, Robert Richter, Loyd and Pat Froning and anyone else who has helped in any way. Your tenderness and care has been greatly appreciated.