Leo Miederhoff

Leo J. Miederhoff, past president of Home Trust Mercantile Bank of Perryville (now US Bank) died peacefully at the age of 92 on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 8, 1923, to John and Mary Basler Miederhoff. He was married for 20 years to Gertrude E. Blessing; they married Sept. 10 1949, at Assumption St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville, Missouri. They had three children: Terry Leo (Kaye) Miederhoff, Judy (Lou) Steinhauser and Timothy Miederhoff.

On Oct. 20, 1973, Leo married Ellinor Balsman/Winschel. He was stepfather to Larry (Faye) Balsman, Betty Adams, Jerry (Diane) Balsman and the late Glenda (Terry) Huggins; a loving grandfather/stepgrandfather to Cicely Lubben, John Miederhoff, Tracy Steinhauser and Dan Natalie Huggins and Kyle Huggins; and a loving great-grandfather.

Dear brother of the late Verline Besand, Odeal Richardet and Edgar Miederhoff.

Leo was a graduate of St. Vincent High School and a devoted patron. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 in the South Pacific during World War II. He began his career for Home Trust Mercantile in 1946 and retired 42 years later as president and continuing on several years as a consultant.

Leo was a member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church and a past alumni president and parish council member. He was a sponsoring and charter member of the Knights of Columbus in Perryville, and a 70-year-active member of American Legion Post 133 in Perryville, and a VFW member and honorary member of Perryville Sportsman's Club. He also was a sponsoring charter member of the Elks Club, and he was the past secretary and founding member of Perryville Development Corp.

He was a chamber of commerce member, working tirelessly on many Perryville community projects. Leo and Ellinor were selected as grand marshals of the 2004 Mayfest parade. Many people referred to Leo as "Mr. Perryville," because of his outstanding contribution to his community, bank and family. He dedicated his life to serving others in his gentle, generous manner.

Leo loved his family, playing cards, working in his garden and a cold beer.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Perryville. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.