Leslie Orville Compton

Les was born at home in Southport, Indiana on September 28, 1945 to Orville and Georgia (Harding) Compton. He married Diana Compton, and they were together 33 years.

Les is a graduate of Southport High School and earned a Ph.D. in life. He never knew a stranger and invested his life in helping and taking care of other people. Les faithfully served the United States as an Airman and was in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967. He was honorably discharged and then went to work in the garage door business. He owned a franchise of Overhead Door company with his brother and partner, Larry. As a younger man, Les was an Elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints (RLDS). Though he eventually left the RLDS church, he remained a servant of the Lord throughout his life. Les was also a Mason.

After he retired from the garage door business, Les became active in veterans’ issues, including creating (with the help of other veterans) the AmVets Post 2000 in Bloomington, Indiana. Les served as AmVets Commander and then branched out into the AmVets Service Foundation. Serving as the President of the Service Foundation, Les worked to help veterans apply for and receive disability benefits for service connected disabilities. Les often said being President of the Service Foundation was the most rewarding work he had done over the course of his life. Former Governor Mitch Daniels recognized Les’s commitment to veterans and awarded him the Distinguished Hoosier award on several occasions.

While Les had many public roles, his greatest joy came from being a husband, father, Papaw, and Great Papaw. Les is survived by his wife Diana and four children, Shellie (David) Goetz, Mark (Cristene) Smith, Kristy (Joseph) Frye, and April Whaley; grandchildren, Drew (Mikaela Freeman) Hall, Morgan Hall, Matthew Frye, Parker (Lilliana) Hall, McKinley Frye, Riley (Tanner Thomas) Smith, and Katie Frye; great-grandchildren Walker Ryan Hall, Wren Andrew Hall, and Cooper Jaxon Hall; and two grand champion Chihuahuas, Lizzy and Izzy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Mary Rosengarten.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Day Deremiah Frye in Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday, February 29 from 11am to 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Hospice House.