Leon H. Bortz, age 88, died late Monday evening, May 23, 2011, at the Western Plains Regional Medical Center , Dodge City, Kansas .

He was born September 15, 1922, at Burton, Kansas , the son of Herman and Matilda (Feldhutt) Bortz. As a young boy he attended school in Preston, Kansas . In 1942, he joined the United States Army, serving in the European Theater of operation. In 1945 he was honorably discharged from service. A resident of Plains since 1974, he retired from the City of Plains Public Works Department after twelve years of service. Before working for the City of Plains, he had worked for Trade Wind of Liberal and R & R Lease Service of Plains.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plains, in 1947 he joined the VFW and was a lifetime member of the Lane Day Post #3166 Liberal Kansas, a member of the American Legion of Preston, Kansas , and stayed very active with V.F.W. through out his life. He enjoyed playing solitary, KENO, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.

On November 4, 1958, he married Helen Irene Jones at Greensburg, Kansas . She precedes him in death on February 6, 2006.

Survivors include: His children,

Nancy Hoock of Rockport, Texas

Roy Bagg and wife Teresa of Enid, Oklahoma

Glenn Bagg and wife Janice of Canton, Oklahoma

Robert Bagg of Olathe, Kansas

Anita Holmes and husband Rodger of Liberal, Kansas

Leone Thompson and husband Jim of Plains, Kansas

Deone Dickson of Canton, Oklahoma

James Bortz and wife Melissa of Brandenburg , Kentucky

18 Grandchildren 22 Great-grandchildren 10 Great-great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by his wife; 13 siblings; and a grandson, Preston Dewey Sheldon.

Memorial graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 2011, at the Plains Cemetery, Plains Kansas, with Pastor Neal Foster presiding, military honors will be preformed by the United States Army, Ft. Riley, Kansas.

The family would welcome memorials to the Kansas Soldiers Home in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas .

Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com