Leonard Ozro Penfield

Ozro Penfield Passes Away Sunday, Oct. 31st: Had Undergone Surgery; Funeral Services Held Wednesday

Concluding rites were held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon for the late Ozro Penfield, from the chapel of the Peet mortuary. Officiating at the services was Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the Congregational Christian Church. The services were enriched with the singing of "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross," by a mixed quartet. Mrs. Judson P. Watson presided at the organ.

Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery with John Sturman, Ford Porter, Harley Lohr, Reuben Johnson, Cy Bonner and Ernest Hales bearing the remains to their last resting place.

Leonard Ozro Penfield was born November 8th, 1900 at Oberlin, Kansas, a son of Thomas Alfonso and May Belle (Wiggins) Penfield, and departed from this life on Sunday, October 31, 1954, at Lusk, Wyoming. He was 53 years, 11 months and 23 days of age.

His early years were spent in Nebraska where he grew to young manhood. He was united in marriage to Miss Viola Vierk October 22nd, 1924 at Wheatland, Wyo. Two years later, in 1926, the young couple came to Niobrara, where he homesteaded near Lance Creek. The homestead has been developed into a ranch by Mr. and Mrs. Penfield, and has been their home since that time.

He had been in poor health for several years, and had recently entered the Spencer hospital where he had undergone major surgery. General peritonitis and other complications attributed to his demise.

Mr. Penfield will long be remembered by his neighbors, as one who was always willing to assist them. He was one of the principal callers at the popular street square dances held in conjunction with the annual Niobrara County Fair and Rodeo.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin, and his father in 1941. Surviving are his widow and mother, Mrs. May Belle Penfield of Wheatland, Wyo., and five children, Mrs. Mercede Porter, Lance Creek, Wyo., Mrs. Donna May Parmely, of Lusk, Wyo.; Mrs. Bonnie Miller of Adel, Iowa, Grant Penfield and Miss Beulah Penfield of the family home at Lance Creek; one sister, Mrs. Mary Smith of Moab, Utah, a brother, Luther, of Lance Creek, Wyo., and five grandchildren.

The Lusk Herald
November 4, 1954
Ozro Penfield Dies In Hospital Sat.

Leonard Ozro Penfield, 53, a long-time resident of Niobrara County, died at the Spencer Hospital Saturday, Oct. 31, of general peritonitis.

Funeral services were held at the Peet Chapel at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, with Rev. Jacob Nein officiating. A mixed quartet sang "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross," accompanied by Mrs. J. P. Watson at the organ.

The pallbearers were John Sturman, Ford Porter, Harlan Lohr, Reuben Johnson, Cy Bonner and Ernest Hales. Interment was in the Lusk cemetery with the Peet Mortuary in charge.

Leonard Ozro Penfield was born November 8, 1900 at Oberlin, Kans., the son of Thomas Alfonso and May Bell (Wiggins) Penfield. He grew to manhood in Nebraska and married to Miss Viola Vierk at Wheatland, October 22, 1924.

He homesteaded in Niobrara County in 1926 and has resided here since that time.

He was preceded in death by his brother Melvin and his father in 1941. Suviving, besides his wife adnd his mother, Mrs. May Belle Penfield of Wheatland, are five children: Mrs. Mercedes Porter, Lance Creek; Mrs. Donna May Parmely, Lusk; Mrs. Bonnie Miller, Adel, Iowa; Grant and Beulah of the famiy home. Also surviving are his sister and brother, Mrs. Mary Smith, Moab, Utah and Luther, Lance Creek, and five grandchildren.

Among the out-of-town relatives here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Glen Ummel, A. J. Vierk and Herman Vierk, all of Cairo, Neb., and Miss Twila Penfield of Washington state.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records