Leslie Junior Stanturf was born to William Leslie Stanturf and Virgie Mae Oliver Stanturf on April 10, 1938 at Bouton, Iowa.

His parents were hired help on a large cattle farm and crop farm until they were finally able to rent another farm from his employer. Les learned farming from his dad. However, he was more interested in how the machinery was built and how it worked than growing crops.

Upon graduation from high school, he went to work for the local John Deere dealership in Woodward and Dallas Center, Iowa. Les was employed there for 25 years.

Les also served honorably in the National Guard from 1956 to 1963. He married Janet Elizabeth VanLew of Woodward, Iowa on August 23, 1958. To this union was born Kimberly Sue and Cristy Jo Stanturf.

All during his young life he developed a love and talent for building and repairing anything mechanical. He had a vivid imagination for building cars from parts and pieces from everywhere. Les gained an enviable reputation as a master mechanic among the farmers and businessmen in the community. Les’s parents instilled in him a love for square and round dancing along with country music that he and Janet nourished throughout their lives.

A desire for change in his life, Les and Janet left Woodward in 1982 and moved to live in Rolla, Missouri where he became a school bus mechanic for Rolla Public School District. They resided there for 10 years.

In 1992 they transferred to Lebanon, Missouri due to Janet’s job with the Postal service. Les and Janet officially retired the first time in 1997, built a new home and moved to Branson, Missouri. Les continued his hobby and built his final car, a street rod that he loved to show in car shows around the area.

Over these years, there was added 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, plus 4 step great grandchildren.

Les came to know the Lord at the age of 60 and helped start and support Friendly Baptist Church in Branson, Missouri, where he served as a deacon for the last 15 years.

Survivors include his wife Janet, daughters: Kim and spouse, Johnny Pittman of Guthrie, Oklahoma and Cris and spouse, Roger Queck of Winterset, Iowa, 6 grandchildren: Amanda Sparks and spouse, Anthony, Kinsey George and spouse Jarrett, Brian Pittman and spouse, Katherine, Corey Pittman, Lance Queck, Emily Eivins and spouse, Brandon and Adam Queck and spouse, Tanada, 12 great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren and his faithful little pug, Charlie.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 am with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Friendly Baptist Church. A dinner will follow the service at the church.