Leroy Wedge's Obituary
Leroy Ellis Wedge, son of George Ellis and Frances Irene Whipple Wedge, was born July 9, 1934, near Oakland, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, August 29, 2008, in the Missouri Veterans Home, in St. James, Missouri, at the age of seventy-four years, one month, and twenty days. His parents preceded him in death. Leroy is survived by two daughters, Michele (Wedge) Whitener, and her husband, Kevin, of St. James, Missouri, and Edie (Wedge) Collins, and her husband, John, of Springfield, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Olivia and Megan O’Shaughnessy, Jacey and Courtney Collins, Tate and Riley Whitener; three step-granddaughters, Brooke, Brandy, and Brittney Whitener; two sisters, Helen (Wedge) Fisher, and her husband, Gary, of Holts Summit, Missouri, and Lynne (Wedge) Greene, and her husband, Marshall, of Irvington, New York; a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; two aunts, Mabel (Wedge) Barr, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Grace (Whipple) Valian, of Carson, California; as well as many cousins and other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in the Oakland community, and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1952. He then earned a degree from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, in 1957. Leroy served his country faithfully in the United States Army in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. After being honorably discharged from the military, he worked at the Colonial Baking Company in Springfield for a total of thirty-two years, the last few years serving as a vice-president. He then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for Scholastic Book Fair in Union, Missouri for ten years. After retiring, he moved to St. James, Missouri, and volunteered his time at Boys and Girls Town and the Caring Center. For the last year, he had been a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home. Leroy was baptized and became a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Oakland, Missouri, on September 9, 1945. At the time of his passing, he was a member of St. James United Methodist Church, in St. James, Missouri. In his spare time he enjoyed being around people, and was an avid reader. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and loved his family dearly. Leroy was a loving father, grandfather (Grumpy), brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be at 11:00 am Friday September 5, 2008 at the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation is 10:00 am Friday until time of service under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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