He taught for many years in Lakin, Long Island, Phillipsburg and Salina. He then worked for Don Loader Interior, Vernon Jewelers and Jilka Furniture. He also catered many receptions and other events around salina.

Mr. Gillispie loved music and was an excellent organist. He played for many funerals and other occasions in Salina and surrounding cities. He also served as church organist at Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Salina. He was also a good artist, and had painted several landscapes of Kansas scenery. His Christmas tree each year was a thing of beauty. It was a feature subject in the Salina Journal, including a picture of the tree.

Leonard was a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church of Salina, and served as music librarian there for many years.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Alma, Salina; two sons, Tim and wife Franz, Overland Park, and Brian and wife K.C., Manhattan; two sisters, Julie Stephen and husband John, Fountain Valley, Calif., and Elsie Ohlson and husband Nils, Hampton, N.H.; one brother, Harold, Manhattan; four grandchildren, Skylar, Ashlyn, Kamryn and Tijmon; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina, KS 67401, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church, Salina, with burial following in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church, Salina Alzheimer’s Support Group or Valley View Retirement Community, Junction City, in care of the mortuary.