Leslie D. "Les" Brookshier

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Southside Baptist Church, 805 W. Walsh Blvd. in Vandalia.
Officiating will be: Rev. Shane Stone.
Music provided by: Louis Clark.
Interment will be in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Vandalia with full military honors.
Pallbearers will be the grandchildren: Jon Athey, Susan Oja, Shawn Brookshier, Stephen Brookshier, Megan Williams, Shane Brookshier, Scott Brookshier and Sally Brookshier.

Leslie D. "Les" Brookshier passed away at 5:36 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the Audrain Medical Center in Mexico, Missouri. Les attended schools in the Mineola area of Montgomery County and worked at an early age to help support his mother and family after his father passed away. He moved to Vandalia in the mid-1940's and began working at Harbison Walker Refractories. In November 1942, Les felt the call to serve his country and joined the U. S. Army during World War II. He was discharged from the Army in November 1945 and returned to work at Harbison Walker Refractories. Les worked over 45 years in the mold shop, press room, hot floor and as custodian prior to his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the Southside Baptist Church and a life member of Vandalia VFW Post 2173. Les had also been active in the Oddfellows Lodge and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and he was an avid Cardinal baseball fan. Les felt very fortunate to make the Veterans Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC accompanied by his son Stephen.

Born: May 12, 1922 in Mineola, Missouri the son of John Pleasant and Ora Belle (Naughton) Brookshier.

Married: Minnie Fern Wasson on January 13, 1948 in Mexico, Missouri.

Survivors include: wife, Fern of Vandalia; one son, Stephen R. and wife, Elaine Brookshier of Vandalia; one daughter, Gloria Jean and husband, Curt Athey of Oregon City, Oregon; eight grandchildren: Jon Athey of Vancouver, Washington; Susan Oja of Brush Prairie, Washington; Shawn Brookshier of Mexico, Missouri; Stephen Brookshier of Enfield, Connecticut; Megan Williams of St. Paul, Minnesota; Shane Brookshier of St. Roberts, Missouri; Scott Brookshier of Columbia, Missouri and Sally Brookshier of Vandalia; six great-grandchildren: Kevin Athey, Corinne Athey, Donald Oja, Jared Oja, Hayley Oja and Autumn Brookshier; also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: parents; one son, Alan L. Brookshier who died in infancy on September 18, 1958; two brothers, Pleasant Brookshier and Vernon Brookshier; five sisters: Iola Clark, Rachel Powell, Ruby Teacutter, Thelma Riley and infant sister, Doris Brookshier.

Memorials are encouraged to the Central Missouri Honor Flight Program, 1400 Forum Blvd., Ste. 38, Box 334, Columbia, Missouri 65203.