Leo V. Peak entered into eternal rest in the comfort of his home in Wichita, Kansas on August 22, 2023. Leo was born to James and Edna Ryan Peak on July 22, 1934. Leo married the love of his life, his "little sweetie", Billie Lee Talarico, on September 12, 1953 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Arma, Kansas. Leo attended St. Mary's High School, graduating with the class of 1952. He was one of the football players who started the tradition of singing "Goodnight Irene" to the sisters after winning a football game. Leo loved supporting the Panthers, attending football games for many years. He made many trips to state games, regardless of whether he had kids playing or not.
Leo was a barber for over 60 years. He held many titles in the state and local unions. Leo was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus. One of Leo's greatest attributes was his ability to answer questions about the people of Pittsburg and country music. He was a walking encyclopedia. Leo loved doing crossword puzzles. He always had a clipboard with puzzles on it. Even with his failing eyesight, he managed to do puzzles with the help of a machine from Envision until a few days before he passed away.
Leo was most proud of his role as a father to three children, a Papa to nine grandchildren, and an Old Papa to his 18 great-grandchildren and his one great-great-grandson.
Leo is survived by his wife of 70 years, Billie (Talarico) Peak. He is also survived by his daughter, Roxie (Roger) Loewenstsion of Wichita, Kansas; son, Ray (Linda) of Pittsburg; grandchildren, Dawn Hardesty, Danna (Mark) Thorne, Melissa (Chris) Crossette, Michelle (Josh) Maes, BJ (Sara) Loewenstein, Ben Peak, Cory (Jena) Peak, Chris (Michelle) Peak, and Matt (Krista) Peak; great-grandchildren, Jeffery Gage Ammerman, Kaden Hardesty, Kyle Crossette, Christian Crossette, Carter Crossette, Peyton Thorne, Zachary Perrault, Ryan Perrault, Katie Loewenstein, Robert "Bob" Loewenstein, Aubree Peak, Ainsley Peak, Sylus Peak, Kolbie Peak, Kase Peak, Kendall Peak, Keaton Peak, and Kelsie Peak; and great-great grandson James Crossette. Leo is also survived by two sisters, Angela Patterson and Joan McGeorge both of Pittsburg; sisters-in-law, Karen Pryer and Patty (Phil) Whitmore both of Olathe, Kansas, and Faye Peak of Pelzer, South Carolina; brothers-in-law, Glen Jenkins of Lancaster, California, and Pete Boyd and daughter-in-law Roxanne Walker of Pittsburg. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly, as well as his special buddy Gus and his trusty friend Deuce.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Florence and Bill Talarico; his son, Randy Leo Peak; brothers, Bill, Joe, and Pat Peak; sisters, Margaret (Bernie) Hayden, Gertrude (Dave) Lewis, and Eula Ann Peak; sisters-in-law, Maryanne Boyd, Sandy Peak and Beverly Jenkins; brothers-in-law, Henry McGeorge and Pat Patterson; nieces, Cheryl Sue Hayden and Linda Peak Kent; and nephews, Larry Peak Kelley Hayden and John Lewis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS, with Fr. Joshua Evans as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Greenbush, KS. A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The family will receive friends for visitation following the Rosary.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home and Crematory of Pittsburg, KS. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita, Kansas: www.hynesmemorial.org/ways-to-donate/#donate.
