Leroy Dale Bien

LeRoy Dale Bien, (Bienie) was born on Monday, October 12, 1925, in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was the son of Virgil and Janelle (Blevins) Bien. A lifelong resident, Bienie made his home in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, until his death on Friday, June 19, 2009, at the age of eighty-three years. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1943. He was a lifelong auto body repairman. In the mid 1950’s, he worked for Hewitt Chevrolet; from 1957 to 1966, Bienie’s Garage & Body Shop; 1966 to 1970, was a foreman for Moore Chevrolet; and 1970 to 1973, Ray Brown Ford. In 1973, he opened Bienie’s Body Shop, which he operated until retirement in 1985. From June 23, 1943, to December 23, 1945, LeRoy served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was a Petty Officer Third Class and boiler technician aboard the USS Shamrock Bay. He was a member and Supporter of Sacred Heart Church, and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901, and Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles, all of Ottawa. Bienie was an outdoorsman and enjoyed all types of sports. He was a former state trap shoot champion and an avid golfer, gardener, bowler, dirt track race car driver and fisherman. He also loved to go camping. On January 16, 1946, LeRoy was united in marriage with Jeanette H. Slaby in Ottawa, Kansas. She preceded him in death on August 1, 2005. He is also preceded in death by his parents; son, Rick Bien; and brother, Virgil Bien. Bienie is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Coffman and her husband, Carl, of Wellsville, Kansas; four sons, Tim Bien and his wife, Rosemary, of Pomona, Kansas, James Bien and his wife, Nancy, of Ottawa, Kansas, Aaron Bien and his wife, Cindy, of Olathe, Kansas, Charles Bien and his wife, Frida, of Sacramento, California; fourteen grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren SERVICES: Graveside Inurnment Services will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2009. IN STATE: Cremation is planned. Family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening at Dengel & Son Mortuary. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart School or Heartland Hospice of Topeka, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.