Leon Jesse Heineken, 71, Holton, died Monday, March 25, 2013, at a Topeka hospital.

He was born on Dec. 19, 1941, north of Valley Falls, the son of Earl J. and Edna F. Hamon Heineken. He graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1959.

Leon retired as Supervisor of the Sand Department at Rockwell International and Atchison Casting in Atchison after 42 years of service. He was also a farmer-stockman. He attended the Coal Creek United Methodist Church. Leon enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities, hunting, fishing, camping, playing cards, traveling, visiting with family and friends and raising cattle.

He married Nancy Josephine Lange on June 10, 1962 in Atchison.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of the home; two sons, Kyle Heineken, his wife Jenny, and their children, Kylie and Grace, Beloit, and Brad Heineken, his wife Tonya, and their children, Hunter, Colton, Braylan, Kati, Codi and Kari, Valley Falls; two daughters, Denise Miller, her husband, Tim, and their children, Jacob, Elly, Logan and Courtney, Kensington, and Dana Branam, her husband, Ryan, and their daughter, Allison, Topeka; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Heineken and Ronald Heineken; one nephew; two nieces, and a double cousin, Shirley Lockhart.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2013, at the Coal Creek United Methodist Church. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leon Heineken Memorial Fund to be designated later and sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.