Leonard S. Wegele, 91, Ellis, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at Good Samaritan Society, Ellis.

He was born Oct. 31, 1921, in Russell County to Solomon and Lydia (Bitter) Wegele.

He married Alvina Wiedeman on Oct. 13, 1946, in Milberger. She preceded him in death Sept. 28, 1999. He was a farmer and stockman. He started in Russell County in 1946 and bought a farm in Ellis in 1955, retiring in 1997. He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran, serving from 1942 to 1946. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis, where he taught Sunday school and served on the church council for many years.

Survivors include three sons, Gary Wegele and wife, Sharon, Hays, Jerry Wegele, Phoenix, and Randy Wegele and wife, Vi, WaKeeney; two sisters, Viola Wagner, Great Bend, and Esther Dumler, Fort Collins, Colo.; four grandchildren, Dustin Wegele and wife, Marie, Hays, Danielle Wegele, Arkansas, Michael Wegele and wife, Rachelle, Longmont, Colo., and Mark Wegele, Phoenix; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Otto and Walter; and an infant brother, Roland.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church, Ellis; burial in Mount Hope Cemetery, Ellis, with military honors.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th, Ellis, KS 67637.

A prayer service will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.

Condolences can be sent to the family by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithley@ruraltel.net.