Leon F. Heckel, age 83, of Ulysses, Kansas died Friday, April 15, 2011 at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born February 11, 1928 on a farm near Kalvesta , Kansas , the son of George and Frances (Grant) Heckel.

Leon grew up in Gray County, Kansas and graduated from Cimarron High School in 1946. Leon married Vi Mattox on October 30, 1948 . They moved to Ulysses in 1954. Leon retired from State Farm Insurance in 1990. He spent a lifetime raising horses, cattle and pigs. He enjoyed his life on “his little patch of ground south of Ulysses”.

He is survived by his wife, Vi of the home; son Greg Heckel and wife Robin; two daughters, Shari Davison, Dee Ann Heckel all of Ulysses; seven grandchildren, Erin Davison of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Tiffany Holden and husband Bruce of Cassville, Missouri, Alisha Owens and husband Alan of Hugoton, Kansas, Elizabeth Mathes and husband Adam of Yuma, Colorado, Greggi Gardner and husband Cody of Amarillo, Texas, AJ Heckel of Ulysses, Kansas, and Derek Heckel of Ulysses, Kansas. Leon was a proud great granddad of 13 great-grandchildren.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Catherine Hull of Ulysses, Kansas .

Graveside service will be held Monday, April 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Silent Land Cemetery in Spearville , Kansas with Loy Henderson officiating. Friends may call Sunday, April 17, 2011 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Historic Adobe Museum in Ulysses in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave , Ulysses , KS 67880 .