Leo Newell

Leo was born July 28, 1935 to Louis and Elsie (Pfeifer) Newell. His father died when he was still an infant, and he had a stillborn brother, Bobby. Because of this, he and his mother had a deeply close bond, and Leo began working from a young age to help support them, including odd jobs at the drive-in theatre.

Known affectionately throughout the Panhandle as "Mr. Baseball," Leo was an umpire for Gering baseball and softball, being entered into the Nebraska Baseball Semi-Pro Hall of Fame in 1984 and Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame in 1985. He wore his red and white bomber jacket that noted such with pride. Despite certain challenges that Leo faced throughout his life, baseball was where he truly excelled, and you could often see him cycling on three wheels back and forth between home and Oregon Trail Park, where he was a major fixture. He was a charter member for Gering Organized (GO) Baseball at its onset. He supported local sporting events and was an avid Gering Bulldogs fan.

A graveside inurnment will be at Fairview Cemetery on Friday, June 23, 2022 at 9:30am with Pastor Tim Hebbert officiating. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.geringchapel.com.