Leo Eller

ST. EDWARD - Leo N. Eller, 101, of St. Edward, formerly of David City and Bellwood, died Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at Clover Lodge Care Center in St. Edward.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Bellwood with Fr. Ben Holdren officiating. Closed casket visitation will be 4-5 p.m. Sunday with a 5 p.m. rosary service at the church. Burial will be in St. Peter & Mary Catholic Cemetery, Bellwood. Memorials may be made to Aquinas High School or St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Leo Eller was born on Dec. 20, 1913, on the farm near Bellwood to Frank and Mary (Delhamet) Eller. He lived in the area most of his life working as a farmer. He married Helen Shonka on June 12, 1946, at St. Mary's Church, Schuyler. Ten children were born to this union. Helen passed away on July 24, 1981, and he later married Eunice Lindsey on Nov. 24, 1984, at Seward.

Leo was a longtime member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Bellwood. He was very involved in the fundraising campaign for the new Aquinas High School in the 1960s, being appointed chairman and bookkeeper of St. Peter's for the new project, and he was awarded a medal by Bishop Casey for his distinguished service on the project. He was also on the building committee for the new St. Peter's Church in the early 1970s. He donated the reconciliation room at St. Peter's in memory of his wife, Helen. He was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus in the David City Council and had the distinction of being the oldest active member. Leo enjoyed playing baseball, fishing, dancing, bowling and traveling. He visited nearly all 50 states during his lifetime. He was also active in many of the Knights of Columbus activities throughout the years. After moving to David City, he became a member of St. Mary's Church in David City, where he actively involved for many years.

Leo is survived by his wife, Eunice of Friend; children, Mary Nelson of Eugene, Oregon, Leo Eller Jr. of Costa Mesa, California, Mike (Jan) Eller of North Platte, Jean (David) Fisher of Albion, Tom (LouAnne) Eller of David City, Pat Eller of Costa Mesa, California, Jake (Adela) Eller of Beauford, South Carolina, Carol (Dave) Booth of Coos Bay, Oregon, and Rita (Jeff) Powell of Salt Lake City, Utah; one sister, Irene (Don) Medinger of Bellwood; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Helen in 1981; one son, David in 2011; two grandsons, Jeremy and Jason Eller; four brothers, Alfred, William, Shorty and an infant brother; and two sisters, Viola Schmid and Marcella Medinger.

Arrangements by Chermok Funeral Home of David City.

Online condolences may be left at www.chermokfuneralhome.com.