Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
Leland “Lee” Bruce Gossett, 97, Logansport, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, April 6, 2024, at Woodbridge Health Campus.
Born November 14, 1926, in Whitestown, Indiana, he was the son of the late Robert and Flossie (Waldroff) Gossett.
One of the oldest living WWII veterans in Cass County, Lee enlisted in the U.S. Navy during his senior year in high school in 1943. Being just 17, the recruiter told Lee that he wouldn’t be called to duty until after graduation. Two weeks later, he was told to report to boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. Fortunately, he had earned enough credits to receive his high school diploma.
Following boot camp, he reported to Fort Pierre, Florida for amphibious training. He served as coxswain on an LCVB small landing craft in preparation for the Normandy invasion. However, he did not go to Normandy, he was sent to Newport, Rhode Island to prepare the USS Zenobia AKA 52 for commission. His ship was sent to England to pick up the 8th Air Corps. Following that mission, his home base was at the Staten Island Naval Base. He made two trips to Reykjavik Iceland to help unload ships. In 1945, he served as Liberty Boats to three different ships on the Hudson on Navy Day. He was then assigned to a 7-78 PC submarine chaser. His ship was decommissioned in 1946. Prior to the decommission, there was a big party on at the Belvedere Hotel in NYC. Babe Ruth was there, and Lee got his autograph on his navy cap. He was honorably discharged in the Spring of 1946, feeling very blessed not to have seen any combat.
Lee continued to serve his country in later years as the bugler for the Cass County Honor Guard, performing Taps at hundreds of military burials over the years. He was a member of the VFW Post 3790 and the American Legion Post 60. Lee was chosen to go on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2016 and served as the Grand Marshal of the 2019 Veterans Day Parade. He was a very patriotic gentleman with a deep love for God, Family and Country.
On March, 30,1974, in the Wheatland Avenue United Methodist Church, Lee was united in marriage to Norma (Spencer) Spangler, who survives. The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. His faith was an important part of Lee’s life and his Wheatland Avenue friends were an extension of his family.
A production manager at Kingston Products in Kokomo, Lee retired in 1991. He then spent 8 years working for Crop Production Services. For ten years, before vision problems forced his retirement, Lee was a beloved crossing guard at Franklin Elementary.
Lee had attended Purdue University, so there’s one more Boilermaker fan in Heaven for the NCAA Tournament. Lee enjoyed golfing, dancing the jitterbug with his sweetheart, listening to The Roots of Hoosier Country and more than anything, attending his grandchildren’s events.
Surviving with his wife, Norma, are his children: Don (Donna) Gossett, Greensburg, IN, Dick (Ronda) Gossett, Daytona Beach, FL, Sandy Schrink and David Gossett, both of Seymour, IN, Diana (Frank) Heathcote, Logansport, IN, and Debb (Mose) Middleton, Lucerne, IN; grandchildren: Greg, Pat, Beth, Mike (Kristen), Brad, Joby (Michelle), and Angie Gossett, Debbie Smallwood, Melanie Sutton, Kim (Ben) Stewart, Christopher and Kyle (Brittney) Middleton; great-grandchildren, Tanner, Heide, Carlie, Mikayla, Alexis, Laiken (Dakota), Paityn, Taylor (Dylan), Rylee, Cameron, Chaise, Gabby, Keegan (Taylor), Faith, Sydney, Avery, Charlie, Makena, Josh, Jordyn, and Kayley; and great-great-grandchildren, Brady, Halle, Kylie, Joshua, Elijah, Cayden, Micah, Brayleann, Maelee, Aiden, Kayden, and Jude.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Frank Gossett.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10th at Fisher Funeral Chapel.
A funeral service celebrating Lee’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11 in Fisher Funeral Chapel with Pastor Doug Thomas officiating.
Burial, at Hopewell Cemetery in Deer Creek, with full military honors, will be accorded by the U.S. Naval team and the Cass County Honor Guard.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are suggested to donate to two worthy causes that Lee loved: the Cass County Honor Guard through the Cass County Community Foundation or to the patient activity fund at Woodbridge Health Campus.
The family would like to thank the staff of Woodbridge Health Campus, the Angels of Mercy Hospice staff and Lee’s Woodbridge roommate, John Crook.
You may share memories and offer condolences on Lee’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.