Leo Peter Makelky
August 1, 1924 – March 16, 2017
From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:
In deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association announce that Leo Peter Makelky of Minot, ND, left formation on 16 March 2017 at age 92. Leo was a 412th ball turret gunner, flying with tail gunner Larry Stevens on George Dancisin’s crew. He passed away at home. Folded wings.
Leo was born on 1 August 1924 in Mandan, ND, to Anton and Veronica (Schnell) Makelky. Leo’s obituary reports that he “was raised and educated in Mandan, attending parochial school and then graduating from Mandan High School in 1942.
“Following high school graduation, he went to work for Douglas Aircraft in El Segundo, CA. With the start of WWII, he returned to Mandan and enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in April of 1943 with the goal of becoming an aerial gunner. He proudly served his country as a ball turret gunner on a B-17, completing 35 missions over Europe. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, amongst others. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.
“Leo married Charlotte L. Starck in November 1948 at St. Joseph's Church in Mandan. From this union, a son, Mark, and a daughter, Jean, were born. Charlotte passed in 2011.
“In April of 1950, Leo and Charlotte moved to Glendive, MT, where Leo began his career with Montana Dakota Utilities Co. as a clerk. In 1955, Leo was transferred, and the family moved to Minot, ND. He retired as the Minot Division Manager after 36 years of service.
“Leo proudly served as president of these civic organizations: Minot Exchange Club, Minot Chamber of Commerce, Minot Rotary Club, Minot Industrial Development Corp., and the ND Air Force Association. He also served as secretary of the Ward County Republican Party and was a director of the Greater ND Association. He was a charter member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He belonged to the Elks, VFW, Moose, Legion, and the 95th Bomb Group Memorial Foundation.
“In his younger years, he hunted and golfed. Later in life, he enjoyed bird watching and reading.
“Surviving family includes his son Mark Makelky and wife Joanne, Bismarck; his daughter Jean Fegley and Wayne Knutson, Berthold; granddaughter Jennifer Rahr and her two children, James and Ella, all of Billings, MT; granddaughter Angela Makelky, Littleton, CO; brother Al Makelky, Miles City, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.
“Leo was preceded in death by Charlotte, his wife of 63 years; his parents; one brother, Henry; and five sisters, Anna, Katie, Emma, Josephine, and Perpatua.
“Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, March 31, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. Lunch and fellowship following the service.
“Interment: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
“Memorials are preferred to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND, or to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.