Leo T. Webster, of Salina, was born on a farm in Cloud County Kansas January 21, 1922. His parents were Helena and Clyde Webster. Leo died at the Salina Regional Health Center on Saturday, April 24, 2010. After his father, Clyde died in 1936, Leo and his brother, George ran his mother's farm until he was drafted in the fall of 1942. He served in the United States Army 1385th Engineer Pet. Dist. Co. in the European Theater during World War II laying pipeline and pumping gas across the Rhine into Germany and later in the Philippines for about six months until the war in Japan ended. Leo was discharged in February of 1946, from the Army and returned to Ada, Kansas where his mother had moved. He then went to work at the Tescott Cheese Company. Leo was always close to his family, brothers' Robert and George and his sisters' Viola, Gertrude, Christenna, and Anna.
Leo married Alma Van Meter, in September of 1947. Two years later they began their family. The first born was Theo Webster who currently resides in Orlando, Florida. Melvin and his wife, Nadine and Edwin and his wife, Beth live in Salina. Crissie and her husband, Randy Moffet live in Wichita. Leo loved to be around people and was happiest when surrounded by his whole family whether at a family gathering or just sitting and talking with his mother before she passed away. He was always lending a helping hand whether it was helping with harvest, building a garage, fixing someone's house, or helping a sick friend.
Leo is remembered by his wife Alma, four (4) children, thirteen (13) grandchildren, ten (10) great grandchildren, his sister Christenna Snyder, Phyllis Sheets, Hazel VanMeter, Hi Underwood, many nieces, nephews and friends.
About the same time that Leo and Alma got married, he went to work for Nabisco in Salina and later transferred to the Topeka branch in 1973 when the Salina branch closed down. He retired after 35 years with Nabisco in 1983. He liked to stay in touch with his long time friends and Nabisco family.
In 2005, Leo and Alma moved back to Salina to be closer to family in their retirement.
The family will be at the Wilson Shields Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Avenue, Minneapolis, Kansas Tuesday, April 27, 2010, from 7 to 8 p.m. for visitation with friends and family.
A Celebration of Leo's Life will be held at First Baptist Church, 843 Lewis Ave, Salina, Kansas 67401 Wednesday, April 28 where Leo was a member. Lunch will be served at First Baptist Church at noon followed by 1 p.m. viewing and a 2 p.m. service of celebration. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery of Ada, Kansas following services at the church. The ladies from the Antioch Baptist Church in Ada, Kansas are having a celebration reception at the Ada Community Center after the interment. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview Cemetery District.