Michael H. Lefler 1949-2011

LEFLER GRAVES BILLINGS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/23/2011 at 17:10:06

Sioux City Journal
10 April 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Michael H. Lefler, 61, of Sioux City, went to be home with his savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 7, 2011 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Heartland Baptist Church, with the Rev. Gene Stockton officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Michael was born on June 16, 1949, in Sioux City, the son of Wilbur and Laura (Graves) Lefler. He graduated from East High School in 1967. Mike enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968. He served his country proudly, volunteering to serve in Vietnam. He was a decorated Vietnam veteran. He was awarded two Purple Heart Medals, a Silver Star Medal as well as a Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam.

Mike worked for the Burlington-Northern Railroad for more than 30 years, retiring in 2000. During 1996, Mike was united in marriage to Jazell Billings on April 12, 1996.

Mike enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was golfing, fishing or boating. He attended Heartland Baptist Church. His main enjoyment was being with his family, spending time with his daughter, Vanessa and his grandchildren, Phoenix and Holland.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Lefler-Larned and her husband, Ken Larned; his grandchildren, Phoenix Larned and Holland Larned, all of Sioux City; his mother, Laura Lefler-Kruse of South Sioux City; his brothers, Willy Lefler and his wife, Kaye, Wally Lefler and Jerry Lefler and his wife, Beth, all of Sioux City; his sisters, Joan and her husband, Bill Stephens of Sioux City, Mary and her husband, Denny Krier of Sioux City, Jackie and her husband, John McKeever of North Carolina, Julie and her husband, Dale Benz of Tempe, Ariz., and Cindy and her husband, Harold Janke of Pender, Neb.; his father-in-law, Jim Billings; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Lefler of Stuart, Fla.; his stepchildren, Dereck Olson and his wife, Briana and Tia Olson, all of Montevideo, Minn.; and his special friend, Regina Wofford of Omaha, Neb.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jazell; his father, Wilbur; and one brother, David Lefler, who died in the Vietnam War in 1969.