LeRoy Paden, 75, of Horton, died Monday evening, March 30, 2015, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

LeRoy was born at Horton, November 2, 1939, one of six children born to Doyle and Helen Garland Paden.  He grew up at St. Joseph, Missouri where he attended school.  LeRoy was a self employed roofing contractor; also owned & operated Paden’s Place in Horton for 25 years, before retiring.

He was a longtime member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church of Horton; and Knights of Columbus Council #834 of Horton.  To say LeRoy liked to hunt mushrooms was an understatement as he hunted from Texas to Canada which led him to founding the National Morel Mushroom Hunters Association.  He was a lifelong sportsman, was always hunting and fishing and enjoyed getting the youth involved to do the same.  He enjoyed clown diving, was an avid KU basketball fan; played slow pitch softball and Triple A fast pitch softball.  Above all, he was a devoted family man.  LeRoy always cared about the Horton community as he served three terms as mayor during the 1980’s and 90’s.

LeRoy is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy Grom, married November 6, 1959 in St. Joseph.  They moved from St. Joseph to Robinson in 1973 before moving to Horton in 1977 where they have since resided.  She survives.

Also surviving are a son Rodney (Sandy) Paden of Horton; two daughters:  Rhonda McClain of Horton, Helen Jo Paden (Dennis Binder) of Princeton, Texas; a sister Collene Paden of St. Joseph; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Paden in 1987; a brother Zack Paden; three sisters:  Patsy Washburn, June Kelly, and Karen Mooney.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, April 6, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Horton, with Father Dan Gardner as celebrant.  Cremation will follow Mass.  The celebration continues immediately following Mass, at the Horton Blue Building, where the Paden family will cook morel’s and provide lunch

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after noon til 7 Sunday evening.  A parish rosary will be recited at 9:30 Monday morning just prior to Mass.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Little League Baseball of Horton which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com