Leonard Wallenmeyer

Leonard A. Wallenmeyer, 94, of Russellville, Mo., departed this life on Saturday, November 13, 2011, at the California Care Center. He was born on February 12, 1917, in California, Mo., the son of Benjamin Franklin and Anna Marie (Lehmann) Wallenmeyer, both of whom preceded him in death. He was united in marriage on July 22, 1945, in Jamestown, Mo. to Helen Louise (Schoeneberg) Wallenmeyer, who preceded him in death on December 25, 2008. Mr. Wallenmeyer was baptized on May 11, 1917, and in 1933, he became a member of the United Methodist Church. In 1965, he transferred his membership to the St. Paul Lutheran Church, California, serving as an usher, Sunday school teacher and working in the Braille program for over 50 years. He was a 1936 graduate of California High School. While attending school he helped his father on the farm and in 1938, he began working at the Woolen Mills. In April 1941, he joined the United States Army, serving in World War II. He was a Prisoner of War in Germany for 26 months until June 1945, when he returned home. Mr. Wallenmeyer lived on a farm west of Jamestown, Mo., for 28 years and was a lifelong farmer. During his working life he was a school bus driver for 11 years and a substitute driver for 14 years. In 1959, he became a rural postal carrier in Jamestown but in 1973, he was transferred to Russellville where he continued to work until his retirement in 1984. Mr. Wallenmeyer was a member of the Senior Citizens Group, and the Men's Club. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Truman and Shelly Wallenmeyer, Prairie Home, Mo.; one daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Fred Bleich, Lohman, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, California. Burial with full military honors will be in California City Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Peter Kurowski. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Memorials are suggested to either the St. Paul Lutheran Radio Ministry or the Braille Ministry, c/o St. Paul Lutheran Church 207 North Owen, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.