Leon A. Mathis

Leon A. Mathis, 77, of Grand Island, formerly of St. Libory, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, at Country House Residence in Grand Island. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Libory's Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney B. Bruggeman and Deacon Don Placke will celebrate the Mass. Private family inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. The family will greet friends one hour before the Mass on Saturday at the church. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Leon was born on June 5, 1941, in Grand Island, the son of Louis and Genevieve (Roepker) Mathis. He grew up at St. Libory, where he attended St. Libory Catholic School and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1959. He was united in marriage to Janice A. Kipp on March 5, 1962, at St. Libory. The couple lived on the Mathis family farm at St. Libory until moving to Grand Island in 2015. Over the years, Leon farmed and worked at various places in the area, including Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island for 25 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Libory's Catholic Church. Leon enjoyed classic cars and restoring old cars and tractors. He also enjoyed the outdoors and animals and visiting with the guys and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Janice of Grand Island; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Linda Mathis of St. Libory; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Daron Bean of St. Libory; grandchildren, Wade and Jessica Mathis of Milford, Abby and Jordan Gall of Clarkson and Jacie Bean of North Platte; and great grandchildren, Walker Mathis and Landrie Gall; brothers, Gary Mathis of Chapman and Dean Mathis of Grand Island; sister, Sharon Mathis of Grand Island; sister-in-law and husband, Kim and Brian Graviette of Hastings; nieces and nephews, Jordan Graviette of Hastings, Greg Mathis of Minnesota, Jill Mathis of Colorado and Kyla and Ryan Lilienthal and their children, Presley, Taylan and Cash of Grand Island. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tim Mathis on Sept. 26, 2017; and sister, Bonita Mathis. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are requested to the family for later designation.