Leander Buchheit

OLD APPLETON, Mo. -- Leander L. Buchheit, 88, of Old Appleton died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo.

He was born Sept. 19, 1914, at Old Appleton, son of Leo M. and Anna W. Ponder Buchheit. He and Loraine A. Wibbenmeyer were married Nov. 25, 1937, at Apple Creek, Mo.

Buchheit co-owned and operated Appleton Mercantile Co. from 1946 to 1982, and was postmaster at Old Appleton from 1971 to 1992. He served many terms on the town council and was a founding member of Old Appleton Bridge Restoration Committee.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Apple Creek and its Men's Club, and served on the St. Joseph Shrine Committee.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Kenneth Buchheit of Old Appleton; a daughter, Eileen Christian of St. Louis; four brothers, Ervin "Speed" and Herbert Buchheit of Perryville, Linus "Sonny" Buchheit of Washington, Ind., Martin "Pepper" Buchheit of St. Louis; three sisters, Olivia Amschler and Theresa Wibbenmeyer of Old Appleton, Elfrieda Sutterer of Perryville; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. The parish wake will be at 6 p.m. Friday, and the rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church at Apple Creek. The Rev. Mark Bozada will officiate. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery at Apple Creek.