John
Lesmeister Jr
John Lesmeister Jr, age 78, passed away at Clinton Healthcare and Rehabilitation, in Clinton, Missouri, on July 09,2022 with his family by his side.
John was born on April 18, 1944, to Bernard (Bernie) and Beulah (Kelland) Lesmeister.
In 1964 He married Sue Bradley and was blessed with two sons, JB lll (Brenda) and Michael (Kerry), three grandchildren, three step grand children and five great grandkids.
In his younger years John hauled hay with Dean Williamson and worked on the farm with Roy Kenton. After a short term in the Navy, he was employed in the parts department for Ford Motor Company here in Clinton MO. For Cotton Walker. After a few months at the Windsor Shoe Factory John became the assistant manager for Gerbes Super Market in Windsor Mo. Along with his good friends Dean Fockler and Wayne Hotaling who was also his partners in finding and rebuilding model A’s and model T’s and going to numerous swap meets looking for old cars and parts.
John owned and operated a Skelly service station in Calhoun Mo. When it closed in 1978 gas was .73 a gallon for gas, he also worked for Golden Valley Ford as a semi drive and delivered equipment for Woody and Tony.
In the 1980’s John acquired his private pilots license then in 1994 John became a certified flight instructor, he had several student for business owner, EMT’s, individual men and ladies even some from Whiteman AFB, along with on special student Dennis, after John retired Dennis became a certified flight instructor.
After having a stroke in 2012 which he retired from being a flight instructor, in later years he suffered with dementia/Alzheimer’s.
John had the privilege of owning alone or with partners two 150 Cessna’s two 172 Cessna’s and 180 Cessna. John loved to work on teach his boys how to restore two 1957 cars and enjoyed riding motorcycles.
John was preceded in death by the ones be called Mom (May) and Pop (Frank) Kelland from Montrose his mother (Bee) and Father (Spiv) his nick name for the band era, and a brother Gerald from Deepwater, the family has asked that memorial donation be made to Golden Valley Hospice in lieu of flowers. Memorials can be left at Consalus Funeral Home at 209 S. 2nd St. Clinton Mo.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John , please visit our floral store.
Graveside services were held, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 1:00PM, Vansant Road Cemetery, N. Vansant Road, Clinton, MO 64735
Carol Sue Empson Gragg
1947 – 2022
Born October 1, 1947 in Clinton, Missouri to Jess and Florence Empson. Sister to Geuane (Jessie), Melva, Leatrice aka Sis, Bob (Pat), Larry, Rex (Sheryl), Keith and Marion (Lois). Mother to Marc (Jenny) and Jeff (Liz). Grandmother to Andrew and Caleb. Passed away June 28, 2022 at Boone Hospital.
Carol’s laugh was loud and infectious to all those around her. She loved her family, fishing, spending time outside in the summertime with her flowers and walking her dog. She was a second “Mom” to many of our friends over the years and would always greet you with a hug and a smile. She always would make time to listen and offer support to her friends and loved ones. She would be there lift you up with her positivity when you were down and celebrate your joys too. She would make your day better just by spending time with her and she always gave you a hug before you left. Always a Hug ‘Hi’ and a Hug ‘Bye’
She will be missed by everyone whose life she touched. We will miss her hugs and her zest for life. She would tell everyone to embrace their loved ones and live for the moment as today is a gift and tomorrow is not guaranteed.
We love and will miss you Carol (Mom) – until we meet again.
Leana Marie
Droz Wheeler
Leana Marie Droz Wheeler, Age 94 of Fort Scott, KS, passed away July 8, 2022, at 6:30pm a peaceful death with her children at her side the day before. Leana was known as Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, Leana Banana and the Virgin Mary.
Leana was born December 15, 1927, to parents Ralph and Anna Droz at the family home in Bates County, MO. Leana completed her elementary, Jr. High and High School education at Rich Hill, MO.
After High School she joined the Cadet Nursing Corps at the Mercy School of Nursing in Fort Scott, KS where she received a degree in Nursing. She was even featured in a booklet published for Mercy Hospital and has worked at hospitals in Fort Scott, KS, Clinton, MO, and Butler, MO serving and caring for countless people throughout the years. Leana also partnered with her husband Hank when they owned and operated three drive-in restaurants. When Leana retired from Nursing, she worked at Wal-Mart in Butler greeting customers, stocking shelves and about anything else they asked her to do.
She was married on August 31, 1947 to Henry H. Wheeler of Rich Hill, MO. They were married at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church on one of the hottest days of that year. Leana and Hank were married 69 years before he preceded her in death in 2016. To this union of marriage, they had four children; Sylvia Newman (spouse-Richard) of Tonganoxie, KS; Richard Wheeler (spouse-Pat) of Fort Scott, KS; Vicki Elmore (spouse-Craig) of Leawood, KS, and Doug Wheeler (spouse-Donna) of Fort Scott, KS. She also was a cherished Grandmother, friend and mentor to her many Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.
Leana was a caring person to everyone she met. She loved to collect recipes, crystal, Nativity sets, Longaberger baskets, hanging clothes on the backyard clothesline, entertaining, cooking and saving or displaying anything her grandchildren made for her or gave to her.
Leana was a very spiritual woman and served in the Catholic Churches as a Eucharist Minister, in fact, she even laundered the Priest’s clothing.
Leana was a skilled fly swatter. She had numerous fly swatters in her collection. She could kill a fly with one quick stroke no matter where the fly landed, she swatted it.
Leana was famous for her tenderloin sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, homemade ice cream (and she loved ice cream), canned vegetables, pickles, and strawberry jam. Leana loved flowers and gardening. She could revive any dead plant to a botanical wonder, she was known for her African violets. Leana was an avid Kansas City Royals fan and attended many baseball, basketball, and football games of her children/grandchildren, cheering them on.
Leana acquired many friends throughout the years in the states of Missouri and Kansas, resulting from moving many times for her husband’s job with Peabody Coal Company. She even made friends with the moving company that moved them several times. Leana loved family and family gatherings for Birthdays, Christmas, 4th of July, and just dropping by her home for a visit; she always insisted you stay for a meal. She would cook a meal that would make Julia Child and Betty Crocker jealous, and it was required that you always take food home with you.
When it came to cooking for her grandchildren, she cooked whatever they wanted to eat, no matter what she was fixing for a meal. She also passed on her love for cooking to her children and grandchildren. Leana and Hank loved eating out, as well as dancing/music and meeting friends. Three of their favorite places were Chicken Annie’s in Pittsburg, KS, Ararat Shrine Temple in Kansas City, MO and Chinese Chef in Nevada, MO.
Leana was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Anna Droz, Husband, Henry “Hank” Wheeler, and Francine Droz- Sister. She is survived by her sister Wilma Miller, and brother Frank Droz, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Mom, Grandma Leana, Sister, Aunt, Friend - you will remain in our hearts and minds forever and look forward to the day that you Welcome us to your Heavenly Home. Your Children-Thank God that you gave us ‘life’, so that we could give it to your grandchildren and great grandchildren. You instilled in us what it means to love God and love others, care for others, give to others, work hard, and appreciate all we have been given. “Well done, Good and Faithful MOM”.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am Saturday, July 23, 2022 at St Bridget Catholic Church, Rich Hill, Missouri. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 am prior to the Mass. Online condolences can be left at www.heuserfunerals.com
