Leroy Joseph Butschek, age 91, peacefully passed away the evening of June 1, 2015 in Park Hill, Oklahoma after a long illness. Leroy was born January 6, 1924 at his family home on the farm in Hackberry, Texas. He was the fifth of eight children born to Ferdinand John and Elizabeth Henneke Butschek. In 1942, he graduated from Hallettsville High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving during World War II as an airplane mechanic. A young man's dreams came true on July 9, 1946 when he married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Evelyn (Bonnie) Schaefer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville, Texas.

Leroy and Bonnie made Houston their home as they worked to build a life for their family of three children - Sherry, Craig and Sheila. After Bonnie died of lung cancer in 1975, Leroy had to rebuild his life. He ultimately retired from Sinclair Refinery where he had worked for over 30 years, and moved back to Hallettsville to the family farm.

He was lucky enough to meet Martha Ann Carlton at a Parents Without Partners event, and they were married in 1981. They began a wonderful retirement of traveling around the country in their Air Stream making friends and seeing every corner of America. In 2003, they moved their home base from the farm to a home in Oklahoma.

Leroy is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Martha; daughters - Sherry Cornwell and husband George of Austin, Texas, Sheila Arnona and husband Paul of Spring, Texas; stepchildren - Gwen Williams of Crawford, Texas, Jeffrey Carlton and wife Lou of Santa Fe, Texas, Pam Newsome and husband Tim of Little Elm, Texas, grandchildren - Heidi Whitlock and husband Jamey of Dripping Springs, Texas, Thomas Jason Hannsz and wife Mary of Kauai, Hawaii, Dominic, Gabi and Aaron Arnona of Spring, Texas; great-grandchildren - Skyler and Jake Whitlock of Dripping Springs, Texas and Chloe and Rain Hannsz of Kauai, Hawaii; 7 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Robert Butschek and wife Lorraine of Hallettsville, Texas and sisters-in-law - Ellen Butschek and Bea Butschek of Hallettsville, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leroy is preceded in death by his first wife Bernice Evelyn (Bonnie) Butschek, his son - Craig Anthony Butschek, his parents, brothers - Alfred Butschek and wife Irene, Victor Butschek, William Franklin Butschek and wife Ann, and Gilbert Paul Butschek; sisters - Margaret Klesel and husband Alphonse, and Pearline Rose Butschek.

"Say not in grief he is no more - but live in thankfulness that he was."

Funeral Mass Service: 2 pm, Friday, June 5, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville,followed by refreshments in the Family Center . Visitation: 5 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at7 pm. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Dominic Arnona, Aaron Arnona, Jamey Whitlock, Jeff Carlton, Tim Newsome, and David Musselman. Memorials: Charity of Your Choice. Burial: 12 noon, Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.