Official Obituary of
Leonard Splinter
December 10, 1932 ~ November 19, 2020 (age 87) 87 Years Old
Leonard Splinter Obituary
SERVICE WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED and FACEBOOK LIVE - FACE MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED
Leonard L. Splinter, age 87, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at a local care center. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel. Rev. Dan Ofstehage will officiate. Music will be provided by A.J. Sherrill as organist and Robbyn Givens as soloist. The service will be Live-Streamed on our website and Facebook Live. Face masks are recommended.
Visitation will be at our chapel on Monday from 5-7 p.m.
Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Leonard's great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers are Leonard's grandchildren: Christina Horton, Travis Meyer, Sara Meyer, Jeremy Kuno, Nathan Miley, Nicholas Miley and Bryce Hemiller.
Leonard was born on December 10, 1932, to Harry and Bernadette (Eccles) Splinter, in Thomas, SD. He attended school through the 8th grade in Watertown, then helped his dad at the machine shop and also worked with his uncle on his farm.
Leonard enlisted in the United States Army on March 7, 1950 where he spent most of his time in Alaska until his honorable discharge on April 4, 1953.
Following his time in the service, Leonard started his 43 year long career at Motor Supply Company in Watertown as the Shop Foreman. His work motto was "More Speed Boys"
Leonard married LaVonne Engels on November 10, 1960, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown.
The two raised five children together where they all learned the core values in life from him. Following his retirement in 1996, he helped his son-in-law on the farm which he always enjoyed.
He loved his family and they were the most important part of his life, he also enjoyed bird watching, and fixing anything that was broke. (a good old hammer worked for most jobs). He loved being a husband and father but being called Papa was what he loved most of all. He had a special and unique bond with each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
These memories will be treasured forever.
Leonard is survived by his wife, LaVonne;
his children, Debra (Rick) Horton of Watertown, SD, Cheryl (Don) Meyer of Watertown, SD, Lori (Roger) Rust of Goodwin, SD, Karen Hemiller of Watertown, SD and Steve (Beverly) Splinter of Watertown, SD; nine grandchildren: Christina, Brad (Brandy), Travis (Meagan), Sara (Jeremy), Nathan (Amanda), Nicholas (Samantha), Jamie (Ben), Bryce (Stacey), and Amy; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Curt Engels of Portland, OR; and one sister-in-law, Barb Splinter of MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Ladonna; his grandson, Scottie; five brothers; four sisters; one brother-in-law; and one sister-in-law.
When: November 23, 2020 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
When: November 24, 2020 10:30am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Leonard L. Splinter, age 87, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020, at a local care center. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel. Rev. Dan Ofstehage will officiate. Music will be provided by A.J. Sherrill as organist and Robbyn Givens as soloist. The service will be Live-Streamed on our website and Facebook Live. Face masks are recommended.
Visitation will be at our chapel on Monday from 5-7 p.m.
Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Leonard's great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers are Leonard's grandchildren: Christina Horton, Travis Meyer, Sara Meyer, Jeremy Kuno, Nathan Miley, Nicholas Miley and Bryce Hemiller.
Leonard was born on December 10, 1932, to Harry and Bernadette (Eccles) Splinter, in Thomas, SD. He attended school through the 8th grade in Watertown, then helped his dad at the machine shop and also worked with his uncle on his farm.
Leonard enlisted in the United States Army on March 7, 1950 where he spent most of his time in Alaska until his honorable discharge on April 4, 1953.
Following his time in the service, Leonard started his 43 year long career at Motor Supply Company in Watertown as the Shop Foreman. His work motto was "More Speed Boys"
Leonard married LaVonne Engels on November 10, 1960, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown.
The two raised five children together where they all learned the core values in life from him. Following his retirement in 1996, he helped his son-in-law on the farm which he always enjoyed.
He loved his family and they were the most important part of his life, he also enjoyed bird watching, and fixing anything that was broke. (a good old hammer worked for most jobs). He loved being a husband and father but being called Papa was what he loved most of all. He had a special and unique bond with each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
These memories will be treasured forever.
Leonard is survived by his wife, LaVonne;
his children, Debra (Rick) Horton of Watertown, SD, Cheryl (Don) Meyer of Watertown, SD, Lori (Roger) Rust of Goodwin, SD, Karen Hemiller of Watertown, SD and Steve (Beverly) Splinter of Watertown, SD; nine grandchildren: Christina, Brad (Brandy), Travis (Meagan), Sara (Jeremy), Nathan (Amanda), Nicholas (Samantha), Jamie (Ben), Bryce (Stacey), and Amy; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Curt Engels of Portland, OR; and one sister-in-law, Barb Splinter of MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Ladonna; his grandson, Scottie; five brothers; four sisters; one brother-in-law; and one sister-in-law.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: November 23, 2020 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Service
When: November 24, 2020 10:30am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
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Leonard Splinter
December 10, 1932-November 19, 2020
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