LIERZ

WETMORE- Leonard Albert Lierz, 78, of Wetmore died Sunday, July 8, 2007 at his home. He was born December 20, 1928 near Seneca, KS, the eldest of 10 children born to Lawrence and Melinda Hasenkamp Lierz. His family moved near Wetmore where he attended schools at Wetmore and Bancroft. He then studied for 3 years at Maur Hill in Atchison to become a priest.
Leonard joined the U.S. Marines at age 18, receiving training at Camp Pendleton, CA and later serving in China. He was a member of American Legion Post #282 in Wetmore and V.F.W. Post #1367 in Holton.
He was a mechanic, carpenter and electrician. He worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber as a mechanic for 33 years. He served as Secretary of United Rubber Workers Local #307 for 5 years and retired from Goodyear in 1992.
Leonard was married to Evelyn Porter on June 28, 1956 in Wetmore, KS. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his children, Linda Beard and her husband, Cliff of Topeka, KS, Vickie Pruett and her husband, Mark of Holton, KS and Michael Lierz and his wife, Jan of Manhattan, KS; 9 grandsons, Christopher and Andrew Beard, Matthew, Joseph, Billy, Benjamin and Marcus Pruett and Jason and Connor Lierz; 3 great-granddaughters, Allyson, Carlene and Madilyn Beard and a great-grandson, Jacob Beard; 3 brothers, Walter Lierz of Holton, KS, Robert Lierz of Topeka, KS and Lawrence Lierz, Jr. of Mission, KS; 5 sisters, Geraldine Edwards of Marysville, KS, Wilma Ross of Horton, KS, Norma Jean Roepke of Waterville, KS and Alberta Tanking and Shirley Hutfles both of Holton, KS. He was preceded in death by his brother, Leroy Lierz.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2007 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment with military honors will be in Wetmore Cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.