Joseph "Joe" Clarence Leeling

Joe Leeling, 65, Long Resident of County, Dies Sat.

Joseph Clarence Leeling, 65, a pioneer resident of Niobrara County, died at the Spencer Hospital Saturday morning. Since his retirement from the Continental Oil Company of Lance Creek on April 1 of last year, he had suffered from a heart ailment that brought about his sudden death.

He was born at Ottomwa, Ia. March 23, 1885, the second son of the late Samuel and Johanna Leeling. When he was 4 his parents moved to Nebraska and when he was 18 they moved into Niobrara County, Wyo. near Kirtley. Joe worked as a cowboy for various cattle concerns and homesteaded near Kirtley in 1905.

On January 6, 1920 he married Rachel Towl and to this couple eight children were born. He was engaged in ranching until moving to Manville in 1936. He was employed on various construction and carpentering projects until he began working for the Continental Oil Company gas plant at Lance Creek in August, 1942.

He is survived by his widow, Rachel Leeling, and the eight children: Mr. Eileen Burk of Chadron, Neb.; Mrs. Bernita Kiever of Lance Creek; Sam of Lusk; Mrs. Frances Dickau of Shawnee; Mrs. Alice Vollman of Douglas; James, Vera, and Virginia of Manville. There are 11 grandchildren.

Also surviving are three sisters and a brother: Mrs. Carrie Thayer of San Diego, Calif.; Mrs. Anna Grant of Chadron; Mrs. Elsie Lewis of Lusk; and Herman Leeling of Manville. His parents, a sister and two brothers have previously died.

Funeral services were held at the Peet Chapel at 2:30 Tuesday with the Rev. Clyde Hampton of the Manville Church officiating. Casket bearers were Sam Thomas, Art Thompson, Lee Stoddard, W. O. McDaniels, Burton Hall and Jack McFarland.

Music was sung by Beryl Fullerton, Raleigh Reed, Lincoln Smith and Don Unruh, with Mrs. J. P. Watson, organist.

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