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Delbert (Butch) P. Leonard, age 72, of Blair, died October 11, 2016, at Immanuel Hospital after a battle with cancer. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 16 beginning at 4 p.m. at Great Commission Baptist Church located at 924 Grant Street Blair, NE, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be held Monday, October 17, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Meetings at Grant Square, located at 231 S. 9th St, Blair, NE.

Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife of 49 years, Donna Leonard; four children: Colleen (Dave)Puffer, Michelle Leonard, Tonia (George) McMannis and Joe Leonard. He also leaves behind several grandchildren: Scotty Parr Jr., John Parr, Danielle Parr, Kaleb Puffer, Skyler Puffer, Josh Thielen, Noel Thielen, Kortlin Hansen, Jocelyn McMannis, Jaysen McMannis, Jarrett McMannis, Gabriella Leonard, Samantha Leonard and Declan Leonard; great-grandchildren: Keagan Parr, Braxton Puffer, Brantley Parr, and Jazmyn Parr. Butch also leaves behind a special host of family and friends: Mother, Marian Leonard; sister, Phyllis Gentry; stepbrothers, Lee Schrodt and Ken Coil; stepsister, Patsy Argel of Arizona; Jerry Watts, who was like a brother; Andrew Schank; and dear friend and pastor, Dawn Kalin, who is his adopted daughter, along with her children, Kayla, Cindy, Justin, and Trey; his Great Commission Baptist Church family, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, cousins, and friends.

Butch was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned several medals, including the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal; and several others.

The son of Glenn and Marian Leonard, he grew up in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, then moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Butch learned to play bass guitar at a young age and went on to play in several country bands and most recently, the church band. His love of music was shared everywhere he would go. He also drove truck and worked construction. Butch loved to spend time with his family, friends, and most importantly, his grandkids.

Butch was an avid member of Great Commission Baptist Church, and a strong Christian man who loved to share the gospel with everyone he met. He also loved to fish, go camping, make breads or just help people do projects.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Delbert P. Leonard Jr.; father, Glenn B. Leonard; in-laws, Howard and Bonnie Sales; grandparents; stepbrother, Dan Schrodt ;and great-grandson, Lucas Parr.

Services are provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

Omaha World Herald 14 Oct 2016

Leonard, Delbert P. "Butch" Age 72 Of Blair, NE. Died October 11, 2016 at Immanuel Hospital after a battle with cancer. Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife of 49 years Donna Leonard; four children: Colleen (Dave) Puffer, Michelle Leonard, Tonia (George) McMannis, and Joe Leonard; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, cousins, and friends. SERVICES 10am Monday, October 17, 2016 at Meetings at Grant Square, 231 S 9th St., Blair. VISITATION will be held Sunday, October 16 beginning at 4pm at Great Commission Baptist Church located at 924 Grant Street, Blair, NE with family receiving friends from 6-8pm. CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME 444 S. 17th Blair, NE 402-426-2191 www.campbellaman.com

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~