Leonard V. Hilton, 82, of Kearney, formerly of Gothenburg, died on July 28, 2008 at Kearney.

Leonard Vern was born May 10, 1926, at Gothenburg, NE to Elmer and Eva (Keiper) Hilton. He attended School District #51 north of Farnam and Farnam High School. When he was in the tenth grade, his family moved to Lexington, and Leonard finished the tenth grade at the South 17 school. He graduated from Lexington High School in May, 1943, where he lettered in track. Leonard was baptized and confirmed April 2, 1942, in the First Presbyterian Church at Lexington.

Leonard was inducted into the Army on May 19, 1945, at Fort Leavenworth, KS, and completed basic training at Camp Walters, TX. He was on the way to Japan when the Peace Treaty was signed, so he was re-stationed in Hawaii where he served for thirteen months. He obtained the rank of Corporal of the Twenty-third Quartermaster Group. Leonard was discharged from the Army on November 1, 1946, at Camp Beale, CA. He returned to Nebraska to start farming for himself.

Leonard and Virginia June Buesing were married August 9, 1953, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Leonard and Virginia had four children — Peggy Jo, Douglas Detlef, Patty Jo and Penny Jo, all born at the Cozad Community Hospital.

Growing up music and baseball were an intricate part of his life. Many Sunday afternoons were spent playing ball with his cousins competing against neighboring towns. Whenever Leonard’s family got together you would enjoy a little music provided by himself and his cousins. He enjoyed many instruments such as the piano, guitar and especially the accordion. He played his accordion with a local group known as the Hay Valley Boys.

Leonard enjoyed his time with his kids as they participated in 4-H. Thus he became a member of the Dawson County Fair Board where he was active for 25 years. As recently as this past week he still took time to enjoy the Dawson County Fair and in helping Scott Wolf park cars. Not only was he active with his kids and the Dawson Fair Board, he was proud to be known as a member of the Plum Creekers of Lexington. Because of their love of horses, Leonard & Virginia were active members of the National Pony Express Association-Nebraska Division (NPEA). He was a dedicated 30 year member of the NPEA-Nebraska Division. One of his most memorable times, was the Olympic Torch Run of 1996. He was the President of the Nebraska Division of the National Pony Express Association and organized the riders that would be carrying the torch as it made it’s way across Nebraska. Leonard and Virginia took part in the Annual Re-Rides for the Pony Express. In June, he was able to follow the route for one more time. Leonard and Virginia enjoyed traveling together whenever possible. They spoke often of their trips to Florida to see their grandkids. He continued to travel on his own to various activities and family gatherings. His travels were special when it included his grandchildren and their ball games. It was important that he spent time with his family, whether that was a family reunion, holidays or just a Sunday afternoon playing ball, horseshoes, cards, music or making homemade ice cream. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, a daughter Patty Jo and a son Doug.

Survivors include 2 daughters: Peggy Ronnekamp of IN, and Penny (Ron) Meyer of Shelton, NE. , 5 grandchildren-Andy (Tabbatha) Ronnekamp-Stephanie Ronnekamp;Travis,Jessica,& Tracy Meyer, 2 great-grandchildren-Zoey & Kaia Ronnekamp, 2 brothers-Orville Hilton, Marvin (Carol) Hilton and 2 sisters-Doris(George) Hergenrader, June (Jerry) Walker. And many nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 1, 9:00 am until 8:00 pm with the family present from 6-8 pm at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2:00 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church, Gothenburg, Nebraska, with Pastor Bill Terry officiating. Burial will take place in the Gothenburg Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the National Pony Express Association – Nebraska Division.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapels, 30 July 2008.