Leo Henry Kleffner, Sr., 94, Brinktown, departed this life Monday, March 8, 2021, in Capital Region Medical Center, in Jefferson City.
He was born July 7, 1926, to Edward Charles and Elizabeth Mary (Kroll) Kleffner in Brinktown.
He was united in marriage to Teresa Faye Grempczynski Sept. 27, 1947, in Dixon.
On December 15, 1944, at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, Leo was inducted into active federal service in the U. S. Army Dec.15,1944 and served until Aug. 12, 1946, when he was honorably discharged at the U.S. Army Separation Center, Fort Lewis, Wash. After being inducted, he was assigned to the Infantry, educated in his specialty of Dog Trainer 458, and received weapons training in marksmanship for the MM M-1 Rifle and the SS Carbine. During his military career, Leo served at various duty stations, and prior to his discharge was with the 50th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon. He was awarded and entitled to wear the American Theater Service Medal, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. A man of excellent character, his ”Honorable Discharge” is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country during World War II.
Leo was a faithful and devoted member of Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church and Lischwe-Brandel American Legion Post 354, both in Brinktown.
He was a lifelong cattle farmer in Maries County and was especially proud of his “Century Farm” designation. A person with a strong work ethic, Leo continued to work as long as he was able and never really retired.
He was preceded in death by parents, Edward and Elizabeth; wife, Faye; sons, infant Paul Kleffner and Gary Kleffner; granddaughter, Christina Crider; great-grandson, Blake Wagner; siblings, Clemens,Vincent, Louis, Clarence, Anthony and John Kleffner,Tillie Hutchison, Gertrude Bure, infants Emil and Mimmie Kleffner.
Leo is survived by children, Leo Kleffner, Jr. and wife Susan, Mary Wagner and husband Clifford, Mark Kleffner and wife Tammy and Pat Kleffner and wife Carrie, all of Vienna, Ruth Ann Yarbrough and husband Ron of Lake Ozark, Helen Steward and husband Kevin of Sturgeon, Becky Wieberg and husband Mike and Don Kleffner and wife Laurie, all of Argyle, Tom Kleffner and friend, Amy of St. Louis and Mike Kleffner and wife Robin of Brinktown; 27 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces, with greats and great-greats as well; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 5 until 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 10, and from 9 until 10 a.m., Thursday, March 11, in Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Brinktown with a Mass of Christian burial following at 10 a.m. with Rev. Matthew Flatley officiating and Rev. Basil Tigga assisting. Interment with full military honors was in Holy Guardian Angels Cemetery in Brinktown, with his sons, Leo, Tom, Mike, Don, Mark and Pat Kleffner serving as pallbearers for their father and Travis and Derek Otto serving as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial contributions suggested to Holy Guardians Angels Catholic Church in Brinktown.
Arrangements entrusted to Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna.
