Leeland V."Lee" Bortmas Obituary (1927

Leeland V. "Lee" Bortmas, 94, of Butler, PA went to be with his Savior on February 7, 2022. Born September 19, 1927 in Butler, PA, he was the son of the late Charles and Ruth Bortmas. He was a member of the North Main Street Church of God. Lee graduated from Butler High School, then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard Maritime Service in 1945. He served aboard the USS McClelland in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. From 1950 - 1952, Lee was with the U.S. Army, Company D, 112th Infantry 28th Division where he was a Sergeant First Class in Germany during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he attended Butler Business College where he met his future wife, Ruth Young, who he married on September 1, 1949. Lee worked with his father as manager at the family business, Bortmas, The Butler Florist, and later bought and ran the business. Lee was a member of Butler Lodge #272, the Syria Shrine, the Butler Kiwanis Club, and numerous other organizations throughout the Butler community. He was a Butler Bantam Jeep Historian, giving many talks and demonstrations on the subject; even appearing on the History Channel. Lee was very well known, both nationally and internationally, in the Bantam Jeep community. Along with his wife Ruth, he was a member of the Old Stone House Car Club and Friends of the Bantam Jeep. Lee loved boating and water skiing, and was co-founder of the Butler Boat Club. He was a "I like to keep busy" type of guy. Lee loved his family, his life, his friends and his Lord and Savior. Surviving are his son Ronald Bortmas and his wife Elda Saucedo, of Pheonix, AZ; two daughters; Debbie (Joe) Minton of Saxonburg, PA and Polly (Bob) Palermo of Butler, PA; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service to honor Lee will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler County Historical Society in support of maintenance for the Bantam Jeep. 123 W. Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001. The family of Lee would like to extend a special thank you to Good Samaritan Hospice for the excellent care that he received. Arrangements have been entrusted to Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc. 124 E. North Street, Butler, PA 16001.