Leonard West Sr. (Veteran)

Leonard "Lenny" Lee West Sr., 74, of Linn, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2011, at the Landmark Hospital in Columbia, Mo. He was born October 11, 1937, in Hillsboro, Ohio, the son of the late Dorothy P. Accurso and Leonard W. West. He was an only child. In May of 2011, Leonard moved to Linn as a resident of Autumn Meadows Skilled Nursing Facility to rehabilitate and be closer to his children and grandchildren. Leonard attended Dayton University, Dayton, Ohio, where he studied Criminal Justice. He served as a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 - 1962. After serving in the Korean War, Lenny came home and worked as a Police Detective for the Dayton Police Department from 1962 - 1975. He then was a Merchant Marine with the Morgan City, La., 500 Ton Captains from 1975 - 1990 and later was a private detective with Windwalker Enterprises from 1990 until his retirement in 2000. Lenny was a member of the Grand Lodge of F & A.M of Ohio Masons, Thirty Second Degree Shriner with the Antioch Shriners Dayton, Ohio, Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels, American Legion Post 5, Jefferson City, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, Spring River, Ariz., #55 and the Marine Corps League, Mountain Home, Ariz. Lenny loved fishing both for fun and commercially. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially the beach and ocean, to the rivers and lakes in Missouri and the Ozarks. He loved spending time with friends and family. He loved chatting about the military and bragging about his children and grandchildren. He had a boisterous sense of humor, and a presence that filled the room. Leonard knew no strangers. His intense patriotism was relevant, as he proudly displayed the American Flag, wore his Marine Corps League jacket, and continuously chatted to young people everywhere about the benefits of joining the military, especially the Marine Corps. He had a strong connection with his spirituality and to God, professing his beliefs whenever he had the chance. His ability to overcome adversity and to constantly see the positive in every situation is a valuable life lesson he taught his children and grandchildren. Semper Fi, Always Faithful. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Govertson of West Ash Flat, Ariz.; four children: Abigail D. Buhr, husband Bradley, of Linn, Mo., Leonard L. West Jr., wife Maureen, of Potosi, Mo., Misha S. Lanier, husband Paul, of Pensacola, Fla. and Jennifer West, of Hillsboro, Ohio; four step-children: Susan Huff of Ash Flat, Ariz., Brenda Patton of Severeville, Tenn., Madeline Rogers of Tampa, Fla. and Ronald Govertsen of Tampa, Fla.; one honorary brother: Jake Jacobs of Pensacola, Fla.; 12 grandchildren: James R. Buhr, Emily A. Hulberg, Jonathan B. Buhr, Kaitlyn L. McConnaughhay, Jacob A. Buhr, Ava G. Buhr, Haylee A. Brooks, Leonard L. West III, Brittni E. Deker, Rebecca D. Deker, Wyatt Gregory and Seneca Lanier; two great-grandchildren: Callie E. Deker and Rileigh L. Deker; 10 honorary children: Jeanie R. Brooks, Angela M. Williams, Sarah L. Buhr, Lisa M. Buhr, Shawn Reed, Danielle Howard, Penny L. George (his Chocolate), Amelia Nkosi, Veronica Hoffman and Tracina R. Harrison; and nine honorary grandchildren: Connor A. Buhr, Hayden J. Buhr, Rachel R. Buhr, Jude A. Buhr, Justin E. Reed, Jenna F. Reed , Malika Weekly, Madison Reynolds and Bridgette J. Hicks. Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2011, at the Hilke-Millard Funeral Home, Westphalia. Funeral services and full military honors will follow at 4:00 p.m., with the Rev. Dan Hogan and Chaplin Kevin McGhee officiating. Interment will be held Monday, December 19, 2011 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to American Legion Post 5 Jefferson City, Mo. POC Terri Greene. Arrangements are under the direction of HILKE-MILLARD Funeral Home, 101 Linn Street, Westphalia, MO. (573) 455-2424. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com .