Orin R. Leslie
April 19, 1910 — December 9, 2008
Orin Robert Leslie was born on April 19, 1910 on the Leslie Farmstead northeast of Avoca, Iowa. He was one of three sons born to Charles and Lettie (Heinz) Leslie. The family lived on the farm until he was eleven years old when they moved for a short time to Hugo, Colorado, returning later to Avoca.
After attending country school, Orin graduated from Avoca High School where he was quarterback on the football team. He also was catcher for the baseball team and served as a team captain. After graduation, he enrolled at Coleman School of Mechanics in Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated with honors. When he returned to the Avoca area, he worked in shops as a mechanic, taking time out to drive trucks for Sarvis Trucking Company. During the depression years of the 1930's, Orin worked wherever there might be work and was able to see a lot of the United States. He loved to travel and had visited all 50 states.
On January 28, 1939, Orin married Mary Isaac and they made their home in Avoca. They were the parents of three children: Peggy Ann, Janet Marie and Charles Michael. Orin went to Alaska to work on the AL-CAN Highway, leaving in March and returning in November. In 1943 Orin joined the Navy and served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Watchaprague, a P.T. Tender. He saw battles in New Guinea, Phillippines, Lehte, Surigao Strait, Lingayln Gulf and Barneo. When he was discharged in 1945, he returned to live in Avoca and raise his family.
Orin lived in the Avoca area his entire life and was an excellent mechanic. In 1965, Orin went to work for the Iowa Highway Department as a mechanic at the Oakland shop. He retired in 1976 and continued to fix engines in his shop at his home until he was 96. He was a member of the United Church of Avoca.
Orin died on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center. He had attained the age of ninety-eight years, seven months and twenty days. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Lettie Leslie and two brothers, Homer and Howard.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary of Avoca; two daughters: Peggy and her husband, Merlin Hale of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Janet and her husband, Richard Silvernail of Omaha, Nebraska; one son, Mike Leslie and his wife Diane of Shelby, Iowa; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; special friends: Drs. Kevin Happe and Lou Ann McStay and their family; Ted and Judy Heilig and Raymond and Pam Nielsen, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the United Church of Avoca with Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullinger as the clergy. Serving as Honorary casket bearers were Ray Nielsen, Ted Heilig and Dr. Kevin Happe with Eric Nelson, Michael Leslie, Mark Leslie, Dan Holdsworth, Rob Jasminski, Todd Purdy, Matthew Leslie and Jason Hulsebus as the active bearers. Military graveside rites were held by the Avoca Fred Funston Post # 227 with interment in the Graceland Cemetery, Avoca Iowa.
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After attending country school, Orin graduated from Avoca High School where he was quarterback on the football team. He also was catcher for the baseball team and served as a team captain. After graduation, he enrolled at Coleman School of Mechanics in Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated with honors. When he returned to the Avoca area, he worked in shops as a mechanic, taking time out to drive trucks for Sarvis Trucking Company. During the depression years of the 1930's, Orin worked wherever there might be work and was able to see a lot of the United States. He loved to travel and had visited all 50 states.
On January 28, 1939, Orin married Mary Isaac and they made their home in Avoca. They were the parents of three children: Peggy Ann, Janet Marie and Charles Michael. Orin went to Alaska to work on the AL-CAN Highway, leaving in March and returning in November. In 1943 Orin joined the Navy and served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Watchaprague, a P.T. Tender. He saw battles in New Guinea, Phillippines, Lehte, Surigao Strait, Lingayln Gulf and Barneo. When he was discharged in 1945, he returned to live in Avoca and raise his family.
Orin lived in the Avoca area his entire life and was an excellent mechanic. In 1965, Orin went to work for the Iowa Highway Department as a mechanic at the Oakland shop. He retired in 1976 and continued to fix engines in his shop at his home until he was 96. He was a member of the United Church of Avoca.
Orin died on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center. He had attained the age of ninety-eight years, seven months and twenty days. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Lettie Leslie and two brothers, Homer and Howard.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary of Avoca; two daughters: Peggy and her husband, Merlin Hale of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Janet and her husband, Richard Silvernail of Omaha, Nebraska; one son, Mike Leslie and his wife Diane of Shelby, Iowa; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; special friends: Drs. Kevin Happe and Lou Ann McStay and their family; Ted and Judy Heilig and Raymond and Pam Nielsen, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the United Church of Avoca with Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullinger as the clergy. Serving as Honorary casket bearers were Ray Nielsen, Ted Heilig and Dr. Kevin Happe with Eric Nelson, Michael Leslie, Mark Leslie, Dan Holdsworth, Rob Jasminski, Todd Purdy, Matthew Leslie and Jason Hulsebus as the active bearers. Military graveside rites were held by the Avoca Fred Funston Post # 227 with interment in the Graceland Cemetery, Avoca Iowa.
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