Leander served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He later worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command as a logistic management specialist, and retired after 32 years. He also served as a boy scout leader for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Angeline J., nee Gross, Gaertner, whom he married September 29, 1948, in Chester, IL, and who died January 11, 2014; his parents, Lawrence and Susanna, nee Hess, Gaertner; and three brothers, Lawrence, Paul, and Norman Gaertner.
Surviving are three children, Sandra (Steve) Wheat, Marla (Ken) Obernuefemann, and Rick (Marikay) Gaertner;
six grandchildren, Kathryn (James) Krener, Laura Wheat, Christy (Jay) Schwerman, Matthew (Lindsay) Obernuefemann, Christopher Gaertner (fiancée Cindy Ruhnke), and Amy Gaertner (Tyler Reynolds);
five great-grandchildren, Hannah Krener, Andrew Obernuefemann, Carter Obernuefemann, Kai Schwerman, and Isla Schwerman;
one sister, Marie (Paul) Schulein;
three sisters-in-law, Mary Gaertner, Ida Gaertner, and Dorothy Ebers;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the Apartment Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Apartment Community Chapel, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at the Apartment Community Chapel, with Fr. Allen Maes, O.M.I. officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.