Leonard A. “Bumpy” Holzapfel

By | February 14, 2018

Leonard A. “Bumpy” Holzapfel, of Wellston, was born on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 1923 in Wellston, Ohio and passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, his 95th birthday, at the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio. Leonard was the third of four children born to the late Leonard F. Holzapfel and Grace Elizabeth King Holzapfel.

Leonard, a 1941graduate of Wellston High School, was one of the last remaining WW II veterans in Wellston. He proudly served with the United States Army, where his occupational specialty was a clerk typist. On March 17, 1938, at the young age of 15, Leonard, along with his two brothers, Frank and Henry, purchased Gem Bottling Company in Wellston. Over the next 58 years, Leonard worked alongside his brothers operating the company until the sale of the business in 1996.

Leonard was a lifelong member of the Hope United Methodist Church in Wellston, where he was presently the oldest living member of the congregation. Throughout his lifetime, he was a member of numerous organizations, including Black Diamond Lodge #538 F&AM, Shriners, Wellston Lions Club, and a founding member of American Legion Post 371 in Wellston. Leonard enjoyed watching sports on television, along with his favorite shows, CNN, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Pretty Woman. He enjoyed going to the beach with his family, boating on the Ohio River for over 30 years, and rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds, but at the same time, never giving up on the Cleveland Browns.

Leonard is survived by daughter, Nancy Holzapfel Riley; sons and daughters-in-law, Len and Bonnie Holzapfel and Rex and Vicki Holzapfel, all of Wellston; grandchildren, Brian Riley (Jayne), Meghan Dement (Shawn), Michelle Anders (Brad), Jason Holzapfel (Jackie), Stephanie Weber (Shannon), Kevin Holzapfel (Tomi) and Kerri White (Tim); along with 18 great-grandchildren, and all of them will cherish the fond memories of their “Bumpy and GiGi”.

Besides his parents, Leonard was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Garnetta M. Richards Holzapfel on Dec. 17, 2016; sister, Huberta Robb; and brothers, Frank Holzapfel and Henry Holzapfel.

Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston, where a Masonic Service will begin at 8 p.m. Funeral service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with Pastor Leland Brehm officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Ridgewood Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com