Michael Lefman

Retired 1SG Michael Dennis Lefman, 70, of Bowling Green, KY died on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Hospice of Southern Kentucky. He was born on April 20, 1949 in Higginsville, MO to parents Ralph and Marjorie Lefman. As a young man, Mike played drums in school and was a member of the DeMolay. He worked at Skelly Service Station while in High School then worked for Fisher Construction until 1969 when he was drafted to serve in as a member of the US Army in the Vietnam War. After returning from the war, he married his sweetheart Kathryn Olson and decided to stay enlisted as a Combat Infantryman and served for 23 years. This gave him the opportunity of many tours of duty in and out of the United States, two of his favorites being Aschaffenburg, Germany and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He retired as a 1SG with many distinguished medals including a Purple Heart and The Bronze Star. He looked forward to the annual reunion of the 101st Airborne Unit and the opportunity to reminisce with fellow retirees. After the military, he began a second career as a maintenance engineer for The Marriott Bay Point Resort in Panama City, Florida and worked in this field in various locations for another 23 years until he retired in 2016. Mike loved the outdoors and that translated into his many pursuits as an adventure lover and as a family man, from camping around Europe and scuba diving in Hawaii to passionately coaching both of his children's little league teams. He was also an incredibly influential Boy Scout Leader, which possibly carried over from his days as a Senior Drill Instructor in the Army. And he especially loved when he had the chance to be with his family on the yearly Lefman Family Fishing Trip whether any fish were actually caught or not. He was a tremendous car and motorcycle enthusiast and truly loved everything about them including driving them, working on them, and watching them race. In fact, he taught his daughter her colors and numbers by taking her to stock car races when she was three. He was also an avid wood worker creating many creative pieces for use during the holidays. After his wife Kathy passed away from cancer in 2006, Mike married Patricia and they enjoyed a beautiful love for more than 12 years. He had the joy of being able to love her 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren as his own. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; his son, Adam Lefman of Merizo, Guam; his daughter, Lori Lefman Nation and husband Milton Nation of Riverview, FL; his granddaughter, Alexandria Nation of Riverview, FL; his brother George Lefman and wife Carol Lefman; and Pat's three daughters, Rachel, Sara and Whitney; and seven more grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn Lefman; and his parents, Marjorie and Ralph Lefman. Mike was buried at 4pm Sunday, March 15, 2020 in a green burial at Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve in DeFuniak Springs, FL. A celebration of his life with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 for his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor. The family has entrusted Cone Funeral Home with arrangements. You may view the online and offer your condolences at www. conefuneralhome. com