Leo Lewallen Proctor

Leo Lewallen Proctor, 93, Greencastle, passed away Sunday afternoon Aug. 18, 2013.

He was born Jan. 10, 1920 in Putnam County to Jasper and Stella Proctor and raised on a farm in Bainbridge with his four sisters and five brothers.

After graduating from Bainbridge High School, he worked at the Allison Aircraft Plant.

He was inducted into the Armed Services in October 1941. He trained in Ireland and England, then served in the African and European theaters of war until he was wounded in action in the Apian mountain range of Italy. He was hit by shrapnel in his back and his leg, requiring repeated surgeries. His life was saved by the Bible he had in his breast pocket where the shrapnel headed for his heart lodged.

Leo was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in July 1945. He served in the 34th Division of the U.S. Army infantry division.

After the war, Leo owned a TV sales and repair business in Greencastle and later, the Greencastle Tractor Sales, which he owned for 51 years.

He was a member of the American Legion, Scottish Rite and the Masons. He enjoyed fishing, traveling in the U.S., playing golf and being with his family.

Leo married Wilma Poynter, the love of his life, on April 1, 1945, a week after returning home from the service. The engagement ring had arrived in the mail having been sent from New Jersey before he was shipped overseas. They were married 68 years, and she survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Janice Hodges (Daryl) and Darla Thompson; four grandchildren, Eric Hodges (Amy), Alisa Whitener (Kent), Andrea Clinebelle (Kevin) and Vanessa Thompson; and four great-grandchildren Carina Hodges, Laurel Hodges, William Hodges and Lydia Clinebelle. He was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jasper and Stella Lewallen Proctor; brothers Ivan Proctor, Lowis Proctor, Edwin Proctor Raymond Gerald Proctor and Eldon Proctor; sisters Eula Proctor, Elva Christy, Mary Proctor and Esta Proctor, and one son, David Proctor.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Rev. Randy McNeely officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory to First Baptist Church, 404 Judson Drive, Greencastle, IN 46135.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.