Leocadio Gonzales

Leocadio "Leo" Gonzales, 89, died Tuesday at the Colmery-O?Neil Veterans Administration Hospital. Leo was born December 9, 1921 in Winfield, KS the son of Juan and Juana (Reyes) Gonzales. Mr. Gonzales served in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart and three bronze service star for campaigns in Normandy, Rhineland and Central Europe. He also received the Combat Infantry Badge and Paratrooper Wings with a gold star for a parachute jump into combat. His other military citations included the World War II Victory Medal, European Theater Medal, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and two overseas bars. He retired from AT and SF Railroad. He was a past Commander of the Urban G.I. Forum. Leo was a founding member of the Suburban League where he coached baseball, basketball, and football and was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America. He married Antonia Trujillo on November 3, 1945. She preceded him in death on February 23, 1995. He was also preceded in death by two infant sons, Leo in 1946 and Gilbert in 1948, a grandson Marcos Munguia, his parents, four sisters; Feliza, Rosemary, Celia, and Beatrice, and four brothers; Felix, Abner, Gabriel and Salvador. Leo is survived by his children Anita (Gary) Munguia, Gilbert (Sherry) Gonzales, Greg (Bonnie) Gonzales, Phillip (Sheree) Gonzales, and Dave (Deb) Gonzales. He is also survived by a sister Rachel, a brother Alfonso, 15 grandchildren: Jessie Cortez Jr., Mona Cortez Pritchett, Rene Munguia, Ceasar Munguia, Christina Munguia, Michelle Gonzales, Gilbert Gonzales Jr., Tony Hernandez, Tina Hernandez, Jennifer Gonzales, Angie Gonzales, Greg Gonzales Jr., Taaron Gonzales, Derrick Gonzales and Lisa Gonzales, 25 great grandchildren: Marcos, Marcelino, Kaleb, Alyssa, Elena, Isabell, Sarah, Eli, Drew, Ty, Ashley, David, Lindsay, Josh, Ian, Mico, Ramsey, Dauby, Samuel, Angelo, Kristana, Coby, Neva, Gaviena and Cienna, two great-great grandchildren: Avery and Leocadio, and many other extended family that called him "PAPO". He will lie in state after 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where a Parish Vigil Service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery with full military honors provided by Fort Riley Military Detail. In Leo?s memory donations may be made to the Colmery-O?Neil Veterans Administration Hospital sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.