Leroy D. ‘Duffy’ Fleckenstein
GLADSTONE — Leroy D. “Duffy” Fleckenstein, 86, formerly of Chicago, Ill., passed away Saturday morning, July 13, 2019, at his home in Gladstone where he and his wife Carol have resided for the past 27 years.
Lee was born Sept. 12, 1932, in Chicago, the son of John and Elizabeth (Schramm) Fleckenstein. He was raised in Chicago and attended Immaculate Conception and St. Barb’s Catholic School in Bridgeport.
On Nov. 22, 1952, Lee was united in marriage to the former Carolyn Kleidon at Immaculate Conception Church in Chicago. Shortly thereafter in January of 1953, Lee was drafted into the United States Army where he actively served in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge in January of 1955, Lee returned to Chicago where he and Carol made their home and raised their family.
Lee was employed as a dockhand for Consolidated Freightways until his retirement in 1992. In 1994, Lee and Carol relocated to Gladstone where they have spent 27 wonderful years together near the shores of Little Bay de Noc.
Lee was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Gladstone and a longstanding member of the Teamsters Local Union 710. He was a “fishing enthusiast”, to say the least, and enjoyed many years fishing off the shores of Kipling. Throughout his life, Lee also enjoyed shooting trap, stained glass projects and woodworking. His family has been fortunate to have enjoyed many creations made by Lee such as furniture, birdfeeders and hutches.
Lee had an exceptional love for his family and will be deeply missed by all.
In addition to his loving wife Carol, Lee is survived by his children, Carol Lee (Kenneth) Wojewocki, James (Rita) Fleckenstein, Pamela (Paul) Wolanyk, Gayl (Ronald) Leonard; sister, Rita Rice; grandchildren, John (Stephanie), Chelsea (Jason), Carrie (Jake), Karen (Dustin), Sarah (Michael), Zack, Nate, and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Payton, Carter, Easton, Sophia, Kaitlyn, Grayson and Lucy Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth; brothers, John and Joe Fleckenstein; brother-in-law, Jack Rice.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites will follow with the Gladstone American Legion Post 71 presiding. Funeral services will follow military rites at 1 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone with Bishop Rayford Ray officiating. A luncheon gathering will follow at Lee and Carol’s home in Gladstone. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be offered at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com