Leo Niemczyk

SIKESTON, Mo. -- After having received the last rites of the Holy Roman Catholic Church and with his family at his bedside, Leo "Pat" Niemczyk, 86, formerly of Bell City, Missouri, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Leo was born June 28, 1931, in St. Louis, the youngest son of August and Frances Malon Niemczyk.

At the young age of 17, and with his mother's consent, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed basic training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

After the Korean War broke out, he along with his fellow Marines in George Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, were sent to serve their country, where he was wounded in battle and received a Purple Heart.

After recovering from his wounds and serving out his enlistment, he returned to civilian life.

Leo, at the age of 26, decided he was fit enough to serve his country again. He re-enlisted and was sent to Camp Pendleton in California. He served with the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Later, he worked in the Launch and Recovery Unit in El Toro Marine Air Wing.

When the Vietnam War broke out, Leo served two tours of duty.

Leo is survived by his wife, Virginia Abner Niemczyk, and three children, Patrick (Rhonda) Niemczyk, Christine Niemczyk and Sandy (Darren) Acup. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nate Wills, Katie Niemczyk Henry and Nick Niemczyk, and great-grandchildren, Brennan Wills and Alandree Henry.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

A funeral Mass will be at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Advance, with the Rev. Randy Tochtrop officiating. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Stoddard County Children's Home.