LeRoy C. "Whitey" Lehmkuhl

LeRoy Cyril "Whitey" Lehmkuhl passed away peacefully at home on May 5, 2025, with family at his side. He was born March 18, 1935 in Fidelity, KS, the first child of Vincent George and Margaret Mary Honeyman Lehmkuhl. He graduated from Sabetha High School in 1953.
LeRoy married Delores Ione Middendorf on May 4, 1957 at Fidelity, KS. To this union were born 2 daughters, Debra Jean and Brenda Kaye; 2 sons, Randy Joseph and Fredrick James.
LeRoy was a lifetime iron worker and belonged to Iron Workers Local #10 in Kansas City, MO.
One of his first loves, aside from Delores, was baseball. LeRoy was quite the pitcher when he played Legion Baseball at Sabetha. As his young family grew, he was involved in coaching his sons all the way from Pee Wees up through Legion Baseball. He also actively pursued fast pitch softball and spent many a summer's night playing slow pitch softball with his extended family along Highway 36.
In his retirement, LeRoy spent his best days out in the timber, cutting down trees with his trusty chainsaw. He took much pride in the way he fell a log and could tell you exactly how it would lay. He was a lifetime outdoorsman. In his younger days, he enjoyed following hounds on a cold brisk night as they were coon hunting. He has always enjoyed fishing with his family and was fortunate to share that love with 3 generations. He was quite a golfer, although he didn't pick up the sport until he was 65.
LeRoy is a member of St. Dominic's Catholic Church. He was an Honorary Member of Knight's of Columbus Council #4219 and was a member of the Optimist Club.
LeRoy is survived by his wife, Delores of the home; 2 daughters, Debra of Manhattan and Brenda Wilson (Gary) of Kansas City, MO; 2 sons, Randy Lehmkuhl (Teresa) of Gaylord, KS and Fred Lehmkuhl (Lisa) of Holton, KS; his grandchildren, Meggin Wease (Donnie), Austin Freed (Joe), Jodi Skyler (Aaron), Katie Morris (Jared), Ryan Lehmkuhl (Sara), Kelsey Wilson (Blake), Danielle Hopkins (Harry), Donovan Meek, Nicholas Lehmkuhl (Lexi) and Corey Lehmkuhl. He was blessed and very proud of his 8 great-grandsons and 3 great-granddaughters. Surviving siblings are Lois Buescher, Donna Young, Marge Bradbury (Rod), Kathy Chandler (Pete), Joe Lehmkuhl (Margie), Terry Lehmkuhl (Kristi) and Karen Lehmkuhl.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister Darlene Stahl, 2 brothers, Larry and Robert Lehmkuhl; and 2 brothers-in-law, Larry Stahl and Eddie Young.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, May 12, 2025 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton, KS. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery at Fidelity, KS. The Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, May 11, 2025 with the visitation to follow until 6:00 P.M. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, KS. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #4219 or to the Beck Bookman Library in Holton, c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.