Leland was born near Percy, IL, September 1, 1919, son of A.R. "Rollie" and Grace Bergfeld. He married Vera G. Wilson, daughter of Henry and Marie Wilson of Bremen IL on June 20, 1953, in St. John's Lutheran Church of Bremen.

He is survived by his wife, Vera Bergfeld, of Centralia; two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Kurt) Williams of Centralia and Debra (Michael) Faris of Marion; two grandsons, Daniel of Centralia, and Matthew of Champaign; a niece, Karen Bell (Scott) of Peoria, and their daughters, Sarah and Lauren of Chicago; two nephews, Mike Stumpe of Alton IL and Joe Stumpe (Carrie) of Witchita KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and a brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Dorothy Stumpe.

Leland was always interested in the field of education.  He attended the Weldon rural school, as well as Steeleville and Chester High Schools in Randolph County. He later received BS and MS degrees in education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He taught in the Flack and Weldon rural schools, Steeleville Public School, served six years as Randolph County Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and then returned to Steeleville Community Unit School District No. 138, where he taught Junior High students until his retirement in 1977.

Soon after retiring Leland was employed by the Spartan Printing Company.  Over the years he worked as a part time bookkeeper for Niederbrach Truck Service and was a seasonal employee of Gilster Milling Company and H & R Block.

Leland served on the Church councils of St. John's of Bremen and Peace Lutheran of Steeleville; Board of Directors of Chester Area Concert Association, and as Point of Contact for his WWII ship's Reunion Committee.

He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville; Coast Guard Combat Veterans' Association; American Legion Post 480, Steeleville; Randolph County, Illinois and National Retired Teachers' Association; SIU-C Alumni Association; and Phi Delta Kappa; and was an associate member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Centralia.

During WW2, Leland enlisted in the US Coast Guard then operating under the US Navy.  His longest deployment was 27 months on the USS Cor Caroli (AK91) assigned to the South and Central Pacific areas.

Lee especially enjoyed family and friends, lawn and garden care, traveling, reading, listening to recordings of show tunes, and keeping in contact with Coast Guard shipmates.

Visitation will be held at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville, on Saturday, February 11th from 10 a.m.  to the time of service at 12 Noon with Rev. S. Blake Duncan officiating.  Interment follows in Paradise Cemetery, Steeleville.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the SIU-C Foundation for Randolph County Scholarship Fund or Peace Lutheran Church Food Pantry.