De Force, Leo 1919-2003

DE FORCE, FELLER, LYNCH

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 16:40:04

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, June 3, 2003

Leo Deforce

Leo F. DeForce, 83, of Le Mars died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars, following a brief illness.

Leo was born Sept. 17, 1919, at Sioux City, the son of Mark H., Sr. and Elizabeth (Lynch) DeForce. He was raised and educated in Le Mars graduating from Le Mars Central High School in 1938 and from Westmar College in 1952. Leo had served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, during World War II. He was an investigator for Provost Marshal at Ft. Riley, Kan., for two years and the remainder of time he served as a Medical NCO with the 309th Gen. Hospital on Tinian and with the occupation forces in Japan. Leo married Gertrude Feller in St. Mary's Catholic Church at Fort Riley, Kan., on March 20, 1944. After his discharge, the couple made their home in Le Mars where Leo owned and operated Plymouth County Abstract Company until his retirement in 1979.

Mr. DeForce was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars and the American Legion, Wasmer Post #241. He was also longtime member and past president of the Le Mars Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Survivors include his wife Gertrude of Le Mars; a son, Stephen DeForce and his wife, Mary Jo, and granddaughter, Megan of Lenexa, Kan.; a sister, Frances and her husband, Stanley Heuertz, of Le Mars; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mark DeForce, Jr.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars with the Rev. James Tigges presiding. Burial will be in Le Mars Calvary Cemetery with military honors conducted at the graveside by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion.

Friends may call anytime after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars. A parish rosary will be held at 4 p.m. and the Scriptural wake service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.