Leland "Sam" Downard

Leland "Sam" Downard, 79, of Marysville, KS, died Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Cambridge Place in Marysville. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Thursday, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Marysville. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 5 at St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated. Bob Welch played the organ while Wayne Kruse sang “Amazing Grace.” The church choir sang “Beatitudes”, “Gift of Finest Wheat”, “Song of Farewell” and “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” The pallbearers were Tim Downard, Brian Downard, Chase Downard, Nick Downard, Larry Downard, Brad Downard, Eric Keating and Jeff Milner. The honorary pallbearers were Dale Cook, Jim Hall, Tom Sherrill, Art Pacha, Glen Griffee, Melvin Miller, Delmar Schotte, Gary Griffee, Glen Peterson, John Nietfeld and Jim Zabokrtsky. Burial was in St. Gregory's Catholic Cemetery. Sam was born July 11, 1933 at Waterville, KS, son of Harold E. and Eva M. (Hanson) Downard. He attended Blanchville School and graduated from Marysville High School in 1951. He served in the National Guard for 13 years and spent one year on active duty at Fort Riley. On September 23, 1961, he married Carol Loch at St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Sam farmed and worked at the Herkimer Coop for 29 years before retiring at age 62. He was a member of St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Eagles Club and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Carol; two sons, Tim (Lisa) Downard, Marysville, and Brian (Cathie) Downard, Collinsville, OK; sister, Maxine Reynolds, Marysville; sisters-in-law, Donna Downard, Marysville, and Nancy Keating, Topeka; three grandchildren, Chase Downard, Nick Downard and Sara Downard; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon "Pinky" Downard; and brothers-in-law, Dewey Reynolds and Paul Keating. A memorial fund has been established to St. Gregory's Catholic School, Disabled American Veterans or Meadowlark Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leland "Sam" Downard, please visit our flower store.