LeRoy G. Schartz, 82, died May 26 at his home in Ellinwood, Kansas. He was born June 4, 1927, at Great Bend, the son of Leo Nicholas and Catherine (Wurm) Schartz. He married Viola Marie Herrman on May 1, 1950, at Great Bend. She died Oct. 17, 1954. On Dec. 31, 1955, he married Theresa C. Herrman, a sister to Viola Marie, at Great Bend. She survives. He was a lifetime family farmer, stockman and entrepreneur. Mr. Schartz was an Ellinwood resident since 1995, coming from rural Great Bend. He was proud and blessed to be a part of what is now a fifth-generation farm. The family raised cattle and had a custom business for cutting wheat, putting up alfalfa, cutting silage and doing dirt work including bulldozing, tree removal, land levelling and installing underground irrigation pipe. They also ran concrete and erected steel buildings. He enjoyed roller skating and traveling with his family. One of LeRoys mottos was if we could not buy it, we would build it. Cant was not in LeRoys vocabulary cant never did do anything, but I can, I will, and I did. Also one of the biggest commodities man has besides God is common sense, if only you would use it. Always think positive. LeRoys advice is Get back on our Constitution, the Ten Commandments, and prayer keep God in everything and take your children to church. Mr. Schartz was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellinwood, and was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Seward. He was involved in the American Agriculture Movement and was past vice president and director of Alfalfa Pellets, Inc. Survivors, in addition to his wife, of the home, include five children: Betty M. Riggs and husband Dale of Great Bend and their children: Brent, Brian and Breanne Riggs; LeRoy George Schartz Jr. and daughter-in-law Sharon (Holcomb) Schartz and their children: Joseph, Christy, Shannon and Leslie Schartz; Kevin L. Schartz and wife Rhea (Applegate) of Ellinwood and their children: Aaron and Seth Schartz; Kyle D. Schartz and wife Bonny (McLeland) of Great Bend and their children: Bailey and Kaleb Schartz; and Lana R. Schartz-Brown and husband Greg of Great Bend and their children: Tanner, Kaycee, Marcus and Layton Brown; one daughter-in-law, Carol D. (Salmans) Schartz of Great Bend and children: Justin, Derek, Andrea and Nicole Schartz; twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by two sons, Dale Eugene Schartz and infant Joseph LeRoy Schartz; two brothers, Norman Schartz and Arlin Schartz; and two sisters, Helen Wandell and Leola Nordman. A vigil service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2010 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Reginald A. Urban and Father Charles Mazouch celebrants. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, May 30, 2010 and 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2010 at the funeral home. Memorials in Mr. Schartz's name have been established with St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home.