Leo Eldon Berkenbile

Memorial services for Leo Eldon Berkenbile were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012 at the Skiatook Methodist Church with Rev. Norman Wasson, officiating.

Leo Eldon Berkenbile, noted pharmacist and businessman in northern Oklahoma, died peacefully at home in Skiatook, Tuesday May 22, 2012 while surrounded by family and friends.  He was 96 years old.

Growing up in Dover, Oklahoma as the son of a farmer he was no stranger to hard work and hardship. Leo met his future wife, Fannie Lucy Joyce, a young nursing student while she was caring for his hospitalized brother in Enid, OK.  They married in 1938 and soon after moved to California.  They had just begun a successful retail business there when Leo was drafted for World War II.  He was given on week to close the business and ship out.  Fannie moved back to Drummond, Oklahoma.

Leo served under General MacArthur while stationed in Japan.  He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was in charge of cooking for the troops.  His ministering to fellow soldiers, as well as the enemy, evidenced his compassion for humanity and conviction of his faith.

During Leo’s absence, Fannie bought a drug store so they both needed pharmacy licenses as quickly as possible.  After the war, Fannie and Leo moved to Weatherford to attend pharmacy school at Southwestern University.  Soon after graduation, they moved to Skiatook and opened a Rexall drugstore.  Later, they opened several more in the surrounding area.

While raising a family of five children and growing his business, Leo quickly became a pillar of the community. He served a term as mayor of Drummond and on the town council in Skiatook.  He strived to improve every community he lived in.  He got the streets of Drummond paved, helped obtain a park in Skiatook, as well as a medical/dental clinic in Barnsdall.  One year, when Fannie was out of town, he bought a used a school bus.  He refurbished it for use for  the Boy Scouts and other school or church groups who needed it.  For decades he could be seen happily driving the bus loaded with laughing children.

He and Fannie were a team and partnered in everything, including business, together.  Their drugstores were aptly named B&B and Berkenbile and Berkenbile. Leo and Fannie were happily married for almost 70 years and were avid churchgoers. They shared their strong faith with their children and grandchildren. Leo often attributed the secret to his long life to faith in God, laughter, vitamins and dancing.

Leo is preceded in death by his beloved Fannie, his daughter Lucy; his brothers Melvin and William “Bill” Berkenbile; and three grandchildren: Kendra Waken, Lisa Chan and Benjamin Berkenbile.

Survivors include his four children; Dr. Leo Berkenbile (Freny) of Los Angeles,  California; Dr. David Berkenbile (Alice) of Worden, Illinois;  Ms. Judy Waken of the home; Mrs. Nancy Fink (Timothy) of Kansas City, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren.   He is also survived by longtime friend Tony Costo and dance partner Verna Brown along with a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Church Building Fund in Skiatook.

---