Donald R. Leitschuck

Donald R. Leitschuck, age 79 of Odell, Nebraska died at his home on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. He was born on October 29, 1927 on a farm northwest of Burchard, Nebraska, the son of Theodore R. and Ellen J. Cox Leitschuck. He attended schools in Pawnee County until the family moved to the farm southwest of Odell in 1943. He graduated from Odell High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving the American Theatre, assigned to the U.S. Donner LSD-20, stationed in Germany. Upon his discharge, he attended the University of Nebraska Ag College. He and his father farmed and also did carpenter work having helped build the new Odell High School. On August 6, 1956, he was united in marriage with Ruth Lytle.

He was a rural mail carrier in Odell for over 40 years. He received the Million Mile plaque from the Post Office for driving over a million miles without an accident. He was selected Nebraska Carrier Of The Year in 1985. He was a member of the Odell United Methodist Church and a member of the Wymore Masonic Lodge #104 AF&AM where he served as a past Master. He served as head of all the York Rite bodies in Wymore and was past commander of Mt. Hermon #7. He also was a member of Sir Galahad Priory #7 of Beatrice and the Knights Cross Of Honor. He was a member of the VFW Post #1077 in Beatrice and was a life member of the American Legion Post #231 in Odell where he was past Commander and long time Adjutant and firing squad commander, past County commander and past member of the 40/8 Box Car Society.

His hobbies over the years were flying, hunting, fishing and amateur radio. He was a member of the Navy Amateur Radio Club and the Quarter Century Wireless Association. He also enjoyed attending all his grandchildren’s activities being their “chauffer” after he retired. He served on the Odell Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years where he served as Fire Chief for 6 years.

He leaves to mourn his wife Ruth Lytle Leitschuck of Odell, daughter Elizabeth Whittle of Odell, Allison Chaplin and husband Mike of Odell, brother Theodore Leitschuck and wife Louise of Beatrice, sister Merry Naviaux and husband Bill of Ralston, NE., sister Carol Ecklund and husband Jim of Lincoln, grandchildren Ryleigh Whittle, Dustin Shoff, Christina Shoff and Michal Chaplin. He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore R. and Ellen Cox Leitschuck.

Services will be on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Odell with Pastor Fay Hubbard officiating. Memorials are to the family’s choice in lieu of flowers. The family will greet friends at the Vance-Gerdes Funeral Home in Odell on Friday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and visitation will be on Friday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Odell and one hour before services at the church on Saturday.