Leo William Oberle, Lorraine
Obituary for Leo William Oberle | Parson Funeral Home (parsonsfh.com)
September 14, 1941 ~ January 15, 2022 (age 80)
Leo Wm. Oberle, 80, of Lorraine, KS, went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, KS.
Leo was born September 14, 1941, in rural Bushton, Rice County, Kansas. He was the second son of Ambrose and Mary (Reif) Oberle. He graduated from Bushton Rural High School in the class of 1959.
In July 1972, Leo married Joyce K. Bisterfeldt of Holyrood, KS. To this union was born a daughter, Jill Ann and a son, Lee William.
From 1968 to 1983, Leo hauled freight for Graves (A&R) Truck Line in Manhattan, KS.
In August 1983, Leo married Ruth Lynn Wright of Council Grove, KS.
While engaged in farming his parents’ farm in rural Bushton, Leo also drove for various truck lines: Alexander Freight Line (Lyons, KS); Koch Oil Industries (Great Bend, KS); LOGEX Truck Line (Lyons), hauling liquid helium to New York, New Jersey, Anaheim, and San Francisco, CA weekly; and R&S Truck Line (Great Bend), hauling Fuller Brush products to New Jersey. From 1993 to 2008, Leo worked as a heavy equipment operator for Ellsworth County Highway Department.
Leo was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer in 2007, retiring from county employment in 2008. Since then, he has suffered additional surgeries and heart congestion, but ultimately was a cancer survivor.
Leo enjoyed all his working positions, many friends, and physical activities: hunting, fishing, camping, square dancing – a member of Hoisington Swinging Stars and Salina Twirlers - plus walking his furry friends “Rusty” and “Molly” when health permitted.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents and sister Karen (Steve) Manning of Great Bend.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Lynn of the home; daughter Jill (Darin) Criner of Kansas City, KS; son Lee (Sandra) Oberle of Lee’s Summit, MO; stepdaughter Sandi (Gary) Pope of Pamona Lake, Vassar, KS; brothers Jerome (Coleen) Oberle of Overland Park, KS and Norman (Sally) Oberle of Ellsworth; sisters Rose Schmidt of Great Bend, Linda Folz and Sharon (Richard) Campbell both of Hoisington, KS; grandchildren Tre Criner, Sally Lynn Bigler Oberle, and Lane William Oberle; stepgrandchildren Lisa (Alex) Foiles, Darrell J. Hickel, and Makayla Humble; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022, at Greenwood Cemetery, Council Grove, KS with Pastor Zach Ullom of the Lorraine First Baptist Church officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lorraine First Baptist Church or VCY Christian Radio Station, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leo, please visit our floral store.