Name: Visitation for Phillip Pantleo
Start: 2025-08-11T13:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-08-11T14:00:00.000Z
Location: Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson on Aug. 7, 2025.

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Phillip "Phil" Pantleo, Jr., 96, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri passed away on August 7, 2025. A visitation will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 1pm at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson. A funeral service will be held on August 11, 2025 beginning at 2pm with a graveside service to follow at Lawson Cemetery.

Born in Pueblo, Colorado he farmed with his father, played football and graduated from Central High School. Phil joined the Colorado National Guard serving four years at Camp Carson; he then transitioned to the Army 100th Heavy Tank Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas from 1949-1953 and was honorably discharged. He worked in the steel mill in Pueblo, married, and then moved to Kansas City in 1957 to raise his family.

Phil farmed three years in Trenton, Missouri, and then 50 years in Lawson. He also worked at the Kansas City Star as the mechanical supervisor in the mail room, retiring after 33 years of service. He served as president of the Quarterback Club and Booster Club for Lawson High School. He was also an active member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Excelsior Springs.

He was preceded by Clella Ann "Teddy" Pantleo, his devoted wife of 53 years, his parents Phillip and Pauline, siblings Russell, Eva, Jack, Carl, Jenny, Frank, and Pauline.

He is survived by his loving companion Mary Applegate, his children Lee Ann (Larry) Raulie, David (Brenda) Pantleo, Russell Pantleo and Wayne Foster, and Michael (Jenny) Pantleo; nine grandchildren, Zach, Evan, Rachel, Josh, Justin, Danielle, Phillip, Andrea, and Eric; 20 great-grandchildren, Bailey, Leighton, Luke, Ava, Journey, Jett, Indie Jo, Wesley, Colby, Brady, Lucas, Ethan, Jackson, Cole, Lilyana, Enzo, Roman, Emma Grace, Waylon James, Gunner Ramon, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

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Recent Activity

Earlier today

Kathi & Tim Brown (daughter and son-in-law of Mary Applegate) posted to the memorial.

August 8, 2025

Micah Henningsen posted to the memorial.

August 7, 2025

Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson announced events.

2 Entries

Kathi & Tim Brown (daughter and son-in-law of Mary Applegate)

Earlier today

When my husband and I met Phil (Pappy), we instantly took a liking to him for his interesting stories, kindness, generosity, and oh yes, his competitive bone in card playing. He was an excellent cook and for the past eight years, we shared lunch and game playing every weekend. He always used to say, " If I taught you anything at all, at least I got you to say grace before a meal." Pappy, our bonus dad, was the only man who was closest to a father figure for the both of us & we were surely grateful for all of his advice/expertise from all of his years of experience. Our hearts are truly broken to have lost him. He always had a smile on his face and was good natured, even when he did not feel well. We enjoyed the special bond felt when we were in his presence. Thank you "Pantleo family" for sharing Phil with us. We will love and miss him every day for the rest of our lives.

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Micah Henningsen

August 8, 2025

I am non-blood family on the Applegate side, but was blessed to meet Phil in his later years. I will dearly miss his brilliant mind and insight - history of Lucca Sicily, Army service, irrigation rights, baseball, grilling techniques, sausage making, pitch strategy!

In the 40s, Phil once got in trouble in the Army for "redirecting" leftover cafeteria food, that by regulation had to be discarded, to junior soldiers and their families (it was deemed improper at that time to save rations once opened). When relaying that story to me several years ago, he paused, scanned the room, and whispered: "well I didn´t let that officer stop me from feeding hungry troops." That´s the kind of guy Phil was.

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Funeral Services Provided By

Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson

412 N Raum Street, Lawson, MO 64062