Zabel, Leslie V. “Les”
of St. Louis and formerly of Mount Olive, IL, Asleep in Jesus, Monday, April 6, 2020. Beloved husband of 68 years to Doris C. (nee Malke); dearest father of Carol (Jim) Falkner, Diane (Scott) Lawrence; cherished grandfather of Ann (Joe) Voss, Scott (Renu Hooda) Falkner, Nicole (Dan) Madigan, Bethany (Rev. `Tom) Schlund, Kara (Mark) Chupka; loving great-grandfather of Tyler and Conner Voss, Arya and Zoey Hooda Falkner, Abby and Hannah Schlund, Harper, Meghan, and Hannah Madigan, and Emma and Luke Chupka; dear brother of the late Wilbert (Viola) Zabel and Elaine (George) Schmidt.
Les was born to Catherine (nee Pahde) and Rudolph Zabel. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran in Mount Olive, IL and attended grade school there. He spent his much of his early childhood playing baseball on the cornfields around Mount Olive and then for Mount Olive High School where he graduated in 1939. He moved to St. Louis to attend St. Louis University while he worked at various jobs.
In August 1942 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a Seaman First Class. He was sent to Seattle, WA to await assignment and was sent to Seaside, OR where he was part of the Dog Patrol, patrolling the beaches along the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. From there he was sent to Gunnery School in St. Augustine, FL and then assigned to the USS LCI 349 that embarked from Florida through the Panama Canal to San Diego. He traveled to Hawaii on the way to Guam where he was stationed and patrolled the islands around Guam. Because of his baseball talent, he played a lot of “pickup” softball games on all types of surfaces (sand, boats, etc.) where the officers bet on the teams they assembled. In January 1946 he traveled from the Pacific back through the Panama Canal to Galveston. He was honorably discharged in March 1946 from the USCG.
After working various jobs in St. Louis, Les decided to go to Umpire School in Florida in Jan 1948 and subsequently hired to umpire in the Georgia/Alabama minor league baseball league that summer. In early 1949 he attended Florida Southern College to study sports business management.
In early 1950 he met his future wife, Doris, during a Lutheran Walther League get together at a state park in Missouri. Their first date was to a drive-in movie in North County St. Louis. He proposed in December 1950 and they were married 20 October 1951 at Holy Cross Lutheran, St. Louis. In 2019, he and Doris celebrated 68 years and 6 months of marriage.
Les began working at Rawlings Sporting Goods in St. Louis, December 1950 and worked as a production scheduler. He traveled often to the Licking and Ava, Missouri production plants. In Aug 1989, he retired after 39 years.
Les was a faithful and longtime member of Hope Lutheran Church, St. Louis since 1959 where he served on the School Board, Board of Elders, Board of Deacons, Board Secretary, and President of the Congregation.
Les loved road trips and took many trips around the country. He loved to socialize with family and friends and stayed in contact with USCG buddies around the country. He especially loved spending time with his 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren who loved him dearly.
Services: Due to COVID-19, no visitation will be held. A memorial service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church (5218 Neosho St., St. Louis, MO 63109) as well as a full military honor service at a later date. Memorials to Hope Lutheran Church appreciated. KUTIS AFFTON SERVICE.