O'HARA, Leo Michael --- 1931-2004

BENDA, OHARA, ENGELHARDT, KLEIN, CRAFT, BEIERMANN, YORMAN, KRUSE, ELDER

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 1/17/2011 at 15:24:04

Leo O'Hara

Funeral services for Leo O'Hara were held Saturday, March 6, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church at Castalia. The Reverend Dave L. Lenth officiated, with the Reverend Cindy Arndt as guest pastor.

Casket bearers were Kevin Schultz, Tom Schultz, Larry Martie, Travis Hiatt, Gary Brown, Byron Everman, Jeff McNally, Tico Lozano, and honorary casket bearers were John Schlee, John O'Hara, Ed Engelhardt, Roger Engelhardt, Leon Flees O'Hara, Ronnie Meisner, Mike Klein, Jr., Rob Elder, Jr., Robert Brandt, Leon Everman, Gerald Hager. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia.

Leo Michael O'Hara, Sr., was born April 5, 1931, at Harpers Ferry, Iowa, to Albert Benda and Susan O'Hara. He died Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at his home in Postville. He had reached the age of 72 years, 10 months, and 27 days.

He was baptized in the Cherry Mound Catholic Church at Harpers Ferry, Iowa and received his First Communion in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dubuque. He is a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville and had been a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia.

Leo attended the Waterloo Community Schools, the Yankton, South Dakota School and graduated from Postville High School in 1951. On June 19, 1953 Leo was married to JoAnn Engelhardt in Decorah, Iowa. To this union seven children were born. They were divorced ater 25 years of marriage. He has lived with his special friend, Beverly McNally for the last 18 years.

Leo lived in St. Mary's Orphanage at Dubuque from the age of three until age 13 when he went to live with his foster parents, Lawrence and Romelda Klein.

He was employed at a Greenhouse in Dubuque, the Groth Packing Company and the Postville Creamery in Postville, the the Carnation Plant in Castalia and transferred to the plant at Waverly. Following that he went to the Swiss Valley at Luana, Hall Roberts' Son and Hygrade in Postville, the MPC in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and Wapsie Produce in Decorah.

Leo enjoyed being with his family and friends, playing cards and horseshoes, gardening, and especially riding his bike. His dog, Beanie, was very special to him as well. He was extremely patriotic and regularly attended the Veterans Day programs.

He is preceded in death by his birth parents, his foster parents, a son Scott, brother-in-law Lewis Craft, and a nephew, Bruce Everman.

Survivors include his special friend, Beverly, Postville; his former wife, JoAnn, Castalia; three sons, Leo Michael (Mary) O'Hara, Jr. of Decorah, IA, Mark (Kimberly) O'Hara of Kearney, MO, and David O'Hara of Shawnee, KS; three daughters, Lynn (Ray) Beiermann of Jerseyville, IL, Traci (Mark) Yorman of Bartlesville, OK, and Lisa (Kirk) Kruse of Postville; seven grandchildren, Jenny Metzger, Kristi (Travis) Hiatt, Aaron Kruse, Sullavan O'Hara, Kelsey O'Hara, Tara Tiffin, and Maria O'Hara; one brother, Michael (Rita) Klein (Sr.) of Palatine, IL, two sister, Kate (Bob) Elder of Waterloo, and Gail Craft of Clinton, IA and many nephews and nieces.

Leo was a member of the Castalia Fire Department, Lutheran Brotherhood, and served as a Cub Scout Leader for many years.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.