Leonard J. Miller, 86, died Nov, 16, 2016 at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita. He was born Sept. 12, 1930 at Wilson, the son of Martin and Amalia “Mollie” (Manweiler) Miller.
Leonard attended school at Gorham, Kan., later receiving his G.E.D. from Barton County Community College in November, 1975. Leonard had been married to Edna Kathman and later married Betty L. (Douthitt) Burke Sept. 21, 1968, at Great Bend.
Leonard worked at Feltes Floor Crafters in Great Bend for 21 years and then worked at ESSEX Corporation, Hoisington, retiring in 1992. He retired from the Kansas National Guard as First Sergeant, after serving for 34 years. Leonard was a lifetime member of the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States and was inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame in Topeka, November, 1998. Leonard was a member of the American Legion Argonne Post 180 and Central Baptist Church, both of Great Bend.
Survivors include three sons, Kenny Miller and wife Harlene, James Miller, and Curtis Miller and wife Linda; three daughters, Judy Blanchard and husband Larry, Mary Ramsey and husband Mike, Sharon Miller and husband Jeff; two step sons, Lester Burke and wife Sharon, and Gary Burke and wife Anna; three step daughters, Dana Abrams, Belinda Peters, and Karla Alsup and husband Jeff; One sister: Delores Sehl and husband Jerry of Ore.; sister-in-law, Gisela McConnell of Colo; 20 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, parents, and foster parents; three sisters, Sophie Lynch, Violet June, and Frances Bethel; two brothers, Edward L. McConnell and Henry “Hank” Miller; one son, Leonard E. Miller, Jr., and by one daughter, Annette Pellett.
Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 at Central Baptist Church in Great Bend, with Pastor John Grummon and Rev. Dave Walters officiating. Interment will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Museum of the Kansas National Guard or American Legion Argonne Post 180 Quilts of Valor, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements are provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS. 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 17, 2016