Leroy Harrison Sadler, 83, of Burfordville died Monday, March 22, 2010, at his home.

He was born July 10, 1926, in Oak Ridge, son of Benjamin Harrison and Nora Otello Davenport Sadler. He and Viola Marie Nussbaum were married Nov. 10, 1946.

Sadler served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, aboard the USS Lesuth and was present on board during the Japanese surrender.

After his discharge he owned and operated an auto body shop in Southern California. He also worked more than 17 years with Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railroads while in California.

He was past commander of American Legion Post 6476 in Colton, Calif., in 1962 and 1963. They moved back to Missouri in 1966 where Leroy worked for Penzel Construction Co. as an oiler and welder, retiring in 1980. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church at Tilsit.

Survivors include his wife, Viola of Burfordville; three sons, Charles (Shirley) Sadler of Burfordville, Albert (Cindy) Sadler of Jackson, Jeffrey (Kelle) Sadler of Manes, Mo.; six daughters, Loretta (Mckinley) Moss of O'Fallon, Ill., Janice (Danny) Noel of Ballwin, Mo., Carolyn (Kenneth) Jansen and Pam (Jeff) Hankins of Jackson, Joann (Harold) Palmer and Edith (Bill) Cobb of Burfordville; a brother, Joseph (Peggy) Sadler of Peoria, Ill.; two sisters, Janet (Ron) Maevers of Mill Springs, Mo., Joyce Steen of Marshfield, Mo.; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a beloved nephew, Carel Wayne (Lin) Jones of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gale and James; six sisters, Hazel, Annice, Helen, Dorothy, Shirley, Norma; and a brother-in-Law, Bob Steen.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson, and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Mark Boettcher officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Southeast Hospice.