Leo Gale Babler

Leo G. Babler, 93, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Osage Nursing Center in Osage City, Kansas. He had been in declining health for the last 5 years after suffering a stroke at home.

Leo Gale Babler was born on August 27, 1930, in Stephenson County, Illinois, the son of William J. and Azora D. (Garnes) Babler. He was the youngest of 5 children. Leo played sports in high school, graduating from Orangeville (IL) High School in 1948. He then attended Dubuque (IA) University for one year on a basketball scholarship before returning to the Orangeville-Freeport area.

Leo was joined in marriage to Shirley Reed in Illinois, and they were the parents of one son, Michael Gale. They were divorced. Later, while stationed at Forbes AFB in Topeka, Leo met and married Phyllis Ann Markley of Lyndon. They were the parents of three children: Lyle Blaine, David Lee, and Lisa Ann. Phyllis preceded him in death in 1994.

Leo enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 1951, completing basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas. He completed gunnery training at several military bases, and then was a tail gunner in the Korean War, flying multiple combat missions.

After the Korean War, Leo completed training for inflight air refueling on KC135 aircraft and was a boom operator. He would joke that he kept the colonels employed, with them flying him around so he could hook up to and refuel the aircraft midflight. He was assigned to the Southeast Asia area during the Vietnam War, flying over 100 support missions, mostly refueling the B52 bombers that were keeping tabs on Russia.

Leo retired from the Air Force in January of 1972, having served his country for 20 years and attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. His military career took him to 5 different continents, seeing many parts of the world. Stateside, he was assigned to several military bases over the years, including Forbes AFB in Topeka, KS; Robbins AFB in Georgia; and Pease AFB in New Hampshire. He accumulated over 10,000 hours of flying time and earned several awards and Air Medals. The family is trying to research what these medals and awards were for, as Leo would shrug it off when asked.

After retiring from the Air Force, the family moved to Osage City in early 1972 to be close to Phyllis’ mother and extended family. The family settled into a house on South 4th Street, near the school. Leo worked as a John Deere salesman for his friend and Air Force buddy, Ed Slusher, at Osage Farm Equipment in Osage City, and then for a short time at Caldwell Implement in Topeka. He also helped with farm work for area farmers in the area until retiring for good.

In retirement, Leo enjoyed fishing, tinkering in the garage, going to the casinos, driving the Osage County gravel roads looking for wild berries and asparagus, and going to school sporting events, especially if the grandkids were participating. While still in good health, he and his special friend, Darlene Haskins, took many driving trips throughout the USA, creating wonderful memories together.

Leo is survived by sons, Mike (Shirley) Babler of Crested Butte, Colorado; Lyle (Kristin) Babler of Grand Junction, Colorado; David (Jo) Babler of Scranton, Kansas; a daughter, Lisa Sandlin of Mississippi; nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and his special friend & companion of 25 years, Darlene Haskins of Osage City.

In addition to his wife, Phyllis, Leo was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Delmar Babler, Clell Babler, and Boyd Babler; and a sister, Verla Rinehart.

Cremation is planned. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024, at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City. Military burial honors to follow service at Union Cemetery in Osage City. Family will receive friends Friday evening, May 31, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Leo Babler Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, Kansas 66523. Condolences may be expressed at Vanarsdalefs.com.