Leroy "Bud" Litsch...Age 92

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 10:30 AM THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
OSAWATOMIE CEMETERY, OSAWATOMIE, KANSAS

MEMORIAL: RICHMOND HEALTHCARE AND REHAB

Memorials may be sent in care of:
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
P.O. Box 430
Osawatomie, KS 66064
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Leroy Matthew Litsch, age 92, of Garnett, Kansas formerly of Osawatomie, passed away Monday, June 29, 2015 at the Richmond Healthcare and Rehab in Richmond, Kansas.

He is survived by his twin daughters Jean Rohrer (Craig) and Jane Cutler both of Indio, California; one brother Fred Litsch of Garnett, Kansas; three grandchildren, Julie Cutler of Napa, California; Scott Cutler of San Francisco, California; Robert Cutler of Chandler, Arizona and one great grandchild, Mason Cutler of Chandler, Arizona.

Leroy entered life in Garnett on August 14, 1922 one of eight children born to Fred and Thresa (Brummel) Litsch. Everyone knew him as “Bud” growing up in Garnett and the name remained with him through school and his entire life. Bud was athletic and in his youth enjoyed sports, particularly golf and playing at the Garnett Country Club.

As a young adult, he belonged to the CCC (Civil Conservation Corp) where he enlisted in the United States Army on November 30, 1942 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Bud served in the 410th Infantry Regiment as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) in France and Germany during WWII. When in the infantry, he was a light machine gun officer in charge of the correct placement of machine guns; as well as, a Duty Soldier III serving as a messenger, delivering messages from one platoon to another. He was also called upon to provide truck transportation for military personnel as needed. While engaged in battle in France on March 15, 1945, he was wounded and placed on permanent disability following his hospitalization. On May 25, 1945 he was sent back to the United States, arriving in America on June 7, 1945. He received an honorable discharge on October 27, 1945 at the Hospital Center of Carson, Colorado with the rank of Sergeant and was the recipient of a CIB (Combat Infantry Badge), a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Bud was married in Lawrence, Kansas to Frances Madeline Schuster. Shortly after their marriage, he was in an automobile accident sustaining physical injuries that remained with him until his death.

In 1949 he and Frances became the parents of twin daughters, Jean Ann and Jane Gail and made their home in Garnett, Kansas. In 1958 Frances, Jean and Jane moved to Anaheim, California. Frances lived in Fullerton, California until the time of her death in February 2001.

Later in life Bud moved to Osawatomie where he lived for many years. He returned to Garnett following a flood in Osawatomie in 2007.

Bud was a disabled veteran and belonged to the VFW in Garnett where he tended bar on a regular basis for many years.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife and six sisters.