Norman Lee Leschber
Norman Lee Leschber, age 79 of Thorndale, passed from this life the Thursday, May 7, 2020, in the Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
Norman was born at the family farm in the Detmold Community on Aug. 2, 1940, to parents, Alfred and Nelda (Patschke) Leschber. Norman has lived all of his life in Thorndale, where at the age of 17, he began working at Steve’s Grocery and General Store in Thorndale. He later became the owner and operator until his retirement in 2007. On March 6, 1966, he and Carol Story were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Thorndale, where he was a member. Norman enjoyed playing cards, dominoes and driving his cars.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Nelda Leschber.
Norman leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years, Carol Leschber of Thorndale; son, William Leschber and wife Stephanie of Dallas; daughters, Brenda Niemtschk and husband Russell of Thorndale and Linda Whittenberg and husband Ricky of Andice; five grandchildren, Amanda Jenkins and Wesley Neely, Chris Whittenberg and Viviana Vega, Heather Whittenberg, Emery Leschber and Kessa Leschber; three great-grandchildren, Parker Jenkins, Natalie McKenzie and Axel Whittenberg; brothers, Raymond Leschber of Rockdale, and Allen Leschber of Thorndale; sisters, Mary Jane McDaniel of Thorndale, Rosalie Forman of Bryan and Linda Fondy of Palestine; along with a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Pastor Mark Grudmyer of St. John Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in the Detmold Community. Visitation is Tuesday, May 12, 2020, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers are Michael McDaniel, Donald McDaniel, Wayne Leschber, Matthew Leschber, Clint Leschber, Greg Leschber, Karl Thiele, Gary Thiele, Wesley Neely. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Drabek, Don Montgomery, Russell Niemtschk, Ricky Whittenberg, and Chris Whittenberg and the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department.