Leroy Hovorka

Leroy Virgil Hovorka, born to Joseph & Alice (Lebeda) Hovorka on August 14, 1933, died on February 10, 2026 in Wellington, Kansas at the age of 92.

Leroy married Wilma D. Jelinek on October 12, 1960 at her folk’s home. They had two children, Jennifer Renee and Wesley Alan.

Leroy lived with his parents East of Caldwell and went to the Alton School. They then moved West of Caldwell in 1943 and he attended the Belleview School.

Leroy graduated from Caldwell High School with the Class of 1951. He served in the United States Army for two years (1953-1955). He was sent to the Korean Conflict for one year.

After his services, he received G I Flight School and was the flight instructor on the instrument and multiengine airplanes.

Leroy was born and raised on a farm and helped his parents farm by raising wheat, other grains, alfalfa, hay and they also ran a Class A (Guernsey) Dairy.

Leroy was Past Master of the Sumner Lodge # 203 and was also a Past Patron Order of Easter Star, Caldwell Chapter # 382. He was also a member of the Kansas York Rite Chapter # 94, and Council # 12; Commandery # 12; Shriner of the Midian Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Wichita, Kansas for several years. He enjoyed taking the Central Christian Church youth and the Caldwell grade schoolers to the Shrine Circus for many years.

He was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite of the Free Masonry S.J. in Wichita, Kansas. Member of the local A.T.A., a lifetime member of the V.F.W. # 366 of Caldwell, WFLA Anton Cermak Lodge # 343 in Caldwell, and a member and past chairman and elder of the Central Christian Church.

In 1988, Leroy retired from civil service as a City Carrier at the local Caldwell Post Office. He then continued farming with his wife Wilma as they had been engaged in raising Registered and Certified Seed wheat since the late 1970’s.

Leroy loved music, especially playing it. He enjoyed playing the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone for polka dances. He enjoyed traveling with his family MOST to Walt Disney World in Florida for several years.

Leroy is survived by his daughter Jennifer and Jimmy Brown of Caldwell, grandsons Justin and Jadon and granddaughter Jacelyn; his son Wesley and Amanda Hovorka of Dodge City, Kansas and grandson Ryker. He is also survived by three sister’s-in-law, Clara Volavka of Haven, Kansas, Rose and Lloyd Miller of Medford, Oklahoma, Donna and Ralph McKee of Anthony, Kansas, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma D. Hovorka, his brother Vernie Hovorka, his parents Joe and Alice, and his father-in-law Ernest Jelinek.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Central Christian Church, Caldwell, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to the Central Christian Church or to the Czechoslovakian Cemetery and sent in care of the mortuary.