Leonard W. Stapleton

The funeral service for Leonard W. Stapleton, 92, of High Forest,MN will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday (July 30,  2019) at High Forest Community Church with Rev. Marcus Quam officiating. Burial with military graveside honors by Stewartville American Legion Post 164 will follow in High Forest Cemetery. Mr. Stapleton died on Friday (July 26,  2019) of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center, where he had been a resident since 2013.

Leonard William Stapleton was born on September 12, 1926 in High Forest,MN to Eben and Myrtle (Cary) Stapleton. He grew up in High Forest and attended Stewartville schools and Stewartville H.S.  He later earned his GED. He served in the U.S. Army including duty overseas in the Phillipines during WWII. Following his discharge he lived in Washington State where he was employed at Boeing Company for a few years before returning to S.E. Minnesota. Leonard was married in 1950 to Frances Hodge and they had 3 children together – Freddie, Stewart and Billie. They were later divorced. Leonard was employed for many years in the dry cleaning industry and worked for different dry cleaners in Rochester. Leonard was married in 1965 to Dorothy Olstein and they had a son together – Troy. Following their marriage they lived in High Forest and were later divorced. Following his retirement Leonard continued to make his home in High Forest. He was a past member of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164. Leonard was a self-taught musician and played guitar and sang old time country music in a local band. He also made his own guitars, was a good auto mechanic and enjoyed fixing things in his garage shop for neighbors and friends. He enjoyed watching old westerns, and country music T.V. shows.

Leonard is survived by his sister – Joyce Collins of rural Stewartville. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Clinton Stapleton and brother-in-law – Duane Collins.                                      .                     

A time of visitation for family and friends will take place 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Tuesday morning.  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Leonard are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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