Leon F. Vinup

February 9, 1928 - February 9, 2010

Leon F. Vinup, age 82 of Batesville, died Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at The Waters of Batesville. Born September 1, 1927 in Ohio County Indiana, he is the son of Meta (Nee: Kessler) and Alfred Vinup. He married Charlotte “Shorty” Barclay February 18, 1950 at Greensburg United Methodist Church. Leon worked 46 years in the plating department at the Hill-Rom Company in Batesville before retiring. He was a member of the Batesville Eagles Aerie #1130, a former member of Batesville Rescue 10 and the Batesville Fire Department. He focused much of his free time on his two favorite things: the fire department and the Eagles Club. A fifty year member of the fire department, he was proud of his service to the city and for a number of years he also ran on the Lifesquad. Leon was also very active in the Eagles Club, serving as treasurer for over 50 years. He bowled on the Eagle’s bowling team and he and Shorty often attended Eagle dances. He loved being around people. While discussing his interests, the family indicated Leon wasn’t necessarily what you would refer as a “handyman” around the house and made their point by recalling a Christmas when the girls were young, he decided to go out and find a Christmas tree and cut it down himself … sort of an old fashioned Christmas kind of thing. When he brought it home, he placed it in a bucket of frozen sand and the tree was decorated. Around 3 a.m. the frozen sand thawed and the tree went over with a thud. For the girls this is one of their earlier Christmas memories. For Shorty it is the memory of Leon being “encouraged” to fix the tree and redecorate it in the wee hours of the morning.He is survived by his wife Shorty; daughters Carolyn Wanstrath of Batesville, Vickie Baylor of Milan; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister Helen Lee.Visitation is Friday, February 12th, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home with prayer services at 6 p.m. and 6:10 p.m., conducted by the Batesville Eagles and the Batesville Fire Department. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13th at the funeral home with Rev. Jill Kepler-Campbell of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mark’s cemetery. The family requests memorials to the Hansen Center or the Batesville Fire Department.