Leon Laurentius

Leon H. Laurentius, 86, of Jackson passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Leon Laurentius

He was born July 10, 1934, in Advance, Missouri, to Joseph and Mary VanGennip Laurentius. He and Helen R. Richter were married Nov. 18, 1967, in Jackson. Two children were born to their union: Paul and Laura.

Leon was a 1952 graduate of Advance High School and subsequently worked on the family farm.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 12, 1957, serving over 15 months in Korea as an artillery supply clerk. He was honorably discharged March 11, 1959. As a longtime member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, he was a past commander and adjutant, coordinated house rental and concessions for 16 years, and was captain of the honor guard.

After his military service, Leon returned to Cape Girardeau County and worked 34 years as parts manager for Schneider Equipment. He then worked five years as a parts manager for an industrial dealership and five years at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department, retiring Aug. 30, 2002. He also owned and operated Laurentius Engraving for many years.

While raising his children, Leon served 20 years as a 4-H leader and served as chairman and vice chairman of the 4-H Camp at Wappapello, Missouri. He also served as president and vice president of the Jackson Band Boosters and coached Optimist basketball.

Leon was an active, faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, serving as an usher and two years as president of the Men's Club. He was also a board member and a coordinator for Aid Association for Lutherans and served eight years as chairman and vice chairman of Camp SEMO, a youth camp.

Leon was an avid gardener and a former president of the Jackson Men's Garden Club. His children have fond memories of Leon religiously tending to his garden every day after work, and Helen cooking the evening meal and canning produce.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 53 years, Helen Laurentius of Jackson; two children, Laura Klinkhardt and Paul (Penelope) Laurentius, both of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Dawson, Olivia, Zachary, Chelsey, Morgan, Emily and Tim; a great-granddaughter, Ella May; a sister-in-law, Rose Marie (the late Alfred) Laurentius of Cape Girardeau; a brother-in-law, Merlin Richter of Florissant; and many dear friends at Villas of Jackson.

Leon was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon Klinkhardt; two siblings, Janie (Martin) VanGennip Jr. and Alfred Laurentius; and his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. There will be an American Legion Honor Guard service at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jason Shaw officiating. Military honors will follow the service. The committal will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or School, or the American Legion Honor Guard.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the "Tribute Wall" tab of Leon's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.