Leon W. Landgraf

Leon William Landgraf, of Columbia, died at home surrounded by family on March 29, 2015. He was born on February 13, 1934 to Lillian L. (Greatting) Landgraf and William E. Landgraf of Columbia, both of whom predeceased him. In the early 1950s, in order to go to college, he hitchhiked back and forth between Southern Illinois University-Carbondale during the week and his job at the Dairy Bar in Columbia on the weekends. He served his country in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He eventually earned his bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He was a production manager at Nooter Corporation in St. Louis until his retirement. Leon was one of a kind. He expertly whistled jazzy show tunes, and he made the best deep fried crappie and the best gooey butter cake in Monroe County. He never learned how to swim, but dove without hesitation into the swift waters of a river in Colorado in the 1960s and saved a young boy who had fallen in. He was never happier than when spending time with his family or fixing things in the garage and listening to the Cardinal game. Leon wished that his body be donated to science, so the doctors at Washington University can learn more about the cancer that eventually took him. Leon's children are pretty sure that there will be a special place for him in heaven. Memorial ServiceThe family is holding a brief memorial service at Lawlor Funeral home at 1 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2015, and a celebration of his life afterward at Reifschneider's Grill and Grape, 608 N. Main Street in Columbia, from 2 to 5 p.m., and family and friends are welcome. Memorial Contribution SuggestionsIn lieu of other types of gifts, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Gateway Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1972 Innerbelt Business Center, St. Louis, MO 63114, http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/spirit15/llandgraf SurvivorsHe is survived by his wife, Jean Lee (Coats) Landgraf of Columbia, son Tim Landgraf (Karla née Mattingly) of Red Bud, daughters Laurie Landgraf (Dan Korte) of St. Louis, and Lisa (Vic) Turvey of Chesterfield, Mo.; sister Ellen (Dean) Schorr of Millstadt; he was also beloved Pawpaw Donuts to grandsons Sean (Jill) Landgraf of Red Bud and Dustin (Melissa) Landgraf of Bloomingdale, Ill., granddaughters Erin Landgraf (Brandon Wilson) of Evansville, Ill. and Taylor Korte of St. Louis, step-granddaughter Aubrey Turvey of O'Fallon, Mo., and great-granddaughters Lyla Wilson of Evansville, Ellen Landgraf of Red Bud, Leah Landgraf of Red Bud and Lily Ann Landgraf of Bloomingdale. He is also survived by many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Leon W. Landgraf

February 13, 1934 - March 29, 2015