Obituary of Leroy S. Atwell

IN LOVING MEMORY OF LEROY S. ATWELL Leroy S. Atwell, son of Roy S. and Nettie M. (Monroe) Atwell, was born June 16, 1925, in Utica, Kansas, and passed away at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas, on September 2010, at the age of 85. Leroy attended a rural, one-room, rock school known as Eden Valley. His father attended this same school as a boy and then later taught there. Leroy graduated from Utica Rural High School in 1943. After serving in the Merchant Maries and U.S. Navy, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1952. Leroy met his wife, Lila German of Glen Elder, Kansas, at KSU and they were married September 7, 1952. Three children blessed this union, Linda, Leon, and Lance. His family was his pride and joy. After Lila completed her nurses training at KUMC in 1954, they moved to Utica, Kansas, to the Atwell Farm and Ranch family operation. In 1961, they moved to Norton, and joined with Edgar Williams feedlot and irrigation operation. Leroy's greatest passion was feeding, handling, and caring for cattle, and it showed in his animal husbandry. In 1984, his health forced him to cease the feedlot operation however he continued to be active in the irrigation farming as long as possible. Leroy also had a great interest in supporting his community. Leroy was co-chairman of the Norton Area Chamber of Commerce committee, an active participant in the local co-op activities, and an active participant for better schools. He was a 4-H community leader for six years and chairman of the county extension council one year. He was active in the Farm Bureau in both Ness and Norton counties serving on the board and as policy committee chairman. Leroy was a member of the Norton Christian Church where he served on the board and was youth sponsor in both Utica and Norton. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. Survivors include: his wife, Lila, of their home in Norton; one daughter, Linda, and her husband, Ken Zeigler, Oakley, Kansas; two sons and their wives, Leon and Treva Atwell, Bennington, Kansas; Lance and Christine Atwell, Garner, Iowa; five grandchildren, Amber and Brett Zeigler, Leron Atwell, Kallie and Lindsey Atwell; one brother-in-law and his wife, Max and Connie German, Norton; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and their husbands, Ellita and Tom Bentley, Sr., Agnes and Darrell Holmes, and one brother and his wife, Merritt and Thelma Atwell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to National Ataxia Foundation, the Norton Christian Church, and the First Christian Church of Utica.