Leon Edwin Grizzle, 87, of Russell, Kansas, died on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at the Main Street Manor in the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Leon was born on June 01, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Richard Theophilous and Venus Vivian (Patterson) Grizzle.  He grew up in Oklahoma City and Enid, Oklahoma areas and attended local schools.  Later he joined the United States Army and fought in the Korean war.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ernestine M. Butler on August 30, 1952 in Enid, Oklahoma.  From this union Leon and Ernestine were blessed with 3 sons Phillip, Robert and Richard; 2 daughters Patricia and Theresa.  In 1958, Leon moved his family to Russell, Kansas.  He went to work for Shields Oil Producers for 20 plus years.  He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and served as a deacon for many years.  He was also a life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his many grandchildren.

Surviving family include three sons, Phillip Grizzle (Kim) of Russell, Kansas, Robert Grizzle (Dorothy) of Eudora, Kansas and Richard Grizzle of Hays, Kansas; two daughters, Patricia Dillon of Russell, Kansas and Theresa Ehrlich (Ron) of Hays, Kansas; brother Paul Grizzle (Jeanne) of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ernestine on March 27, 2012, brothers Richard A. Grizzle and Bill Grizzle; daughter in-law Mary Grizzle and grandson, Christopher Ehrlich.

Celebration of Leon’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Pastor David Jones officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Military honors will be presented by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM on Monday, October 24, 2016, at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM Monday evening.  A memorial has been established with First Southern Baptist Church in Russell and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of the funeral arrangements.