A memorial service for Eldred Clark “E.C.” Leonard, age 92, of Watertown, SD, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Rev. Robert Waite will officiate.  The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge #838 will hold a memorial ceremony during the service in honor of Eldred. Music will be provided by Peggy Biswell.  Eldred passed away on Monday, November 1, 2010, at a care center in Watertown.

     Honorary pallbearers will be Eldred’s grandchildren: James Leonard, Colin Adams, Thomas Adams, and Sara Williams, and his great-granddaughter, Abigail “Abby” Railey. 

     Eldred was born on September 13, 1918, on the family homestead in Lake Township, Codington County, SD, to Herbert E. and Edith (Clark) Leonard.  He attended Lakeview School District #3 in Lake Township.  Eldred graduated from Watertown High School in 1936.  He moved to Aberdeen, SD, where he was employed by his sister, Helen, and her husband, Alvin Werth, on their farm and later by Lacey Ice Cream Company.

     Eldred married Helen Batteen of Redfield, SD, on July 25, 1940, at the Evangelical Church of Aberdeen.  The couple moved to the Los Angeles, CA, area where Eldred was employed by Lockheed Aircraft.  They later returned to the family farm in 1943 until 1952 and then moved back to Los Angeles. Eldred worked for Adel Precisions Metals Corporation as a hydraulic test inspector for one year.  The family returned to South Dakota in 1955.  Eldred was appointed Office Manager of the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service for Codington County in 1956.  Eldred was involved in farming most of his life. In 1970, he built his own home on the farm and always kept busy with different projects.  He retired from the A.S.C.S. in 1978. Helen passed away on August 19, 1985

     He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Watertown, serving on the board of trustees and was later elected as moderator of the church.  Eldred was very active in local and community affairs.  He was a member of the Uptown and Magic Mile Lions Clubs, a charter member and director of the Retired Federal Employees Association in Northeast SD, and was a member of and elected president of the Lakeview Farmers’ Club.  As a member of the Fraternal Order of Elks of Watertown Lodge #838, Eldred worked on numerous committees and held various officer positions.  He served as Exalted Ruler, State President of the Elks Association,   and District Deputy of the Grand Lodge for Eastern South Dakota. He was later appointed to a two year term on the Grand Lodge State Association Committee.  He and Helen served 17 years on the Elks’ Crippled Children’s Clinic committee.

     Eldred played in the first fast pitch league organized in Watertown and in later years, he was elected president of the association.  He played in organized softball until 54 years of age.  He also helped organize the first girls’ softball teams in Watertown in 1962.

      Eldred married Beryl J. (Cloos) Collins on October 26, 1986, in Madison, GA.  They moved to Bella Vista, AR, in1991.  They also had a winter home in Mesa, AZ.  Eldred enjoyed shooting pool, playing cards, golfing, visiting with people, and traveling the United States in his motor home.

     Eldred is survived by his wife, Beryl, of Mesa, AZ; his three daughters: Linda Adams of Lynn Haven, FL, and Diane Leonard and Sharry Leonard both of Watertown, SD; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and two sisters, Lorraine Willis of Omaha, NE, and Faye Muller of Lakeland, FL.

     He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen; one sister, Helen Werth; and his parents.