EOC Leonard Nahlen, U.S. Navy SeaBees, Ret

EOC Leonard W. Nahlen, U.S. Navy SeaBees, Ret, age 77, of Long Beach passed away peacefully at home with his longtime beloved companion, Amporn DeSilva, by his side.

He was preceded in death by his spouses, Leda Carolyn Mashburn and Victoria Stuller; his father, Florian F. Nahlen; his mother, Bertha Evelyn DeBord; 2 brothers, James E. Nahlen and Lawrence W. Nahlen; and a step-son, Tony Stuller.

Mr. Nahlen is survived by his daughter, Sheila Nahlen Avery (Paul); a grandson, Ethan Avery, of Shreveport, LA; a sister, Mary Frances Nahlen-Many, Ph.D., of Monroe, LA; his step-children, Alan Stuller, of Houston, TX, and Christiana Stuller Franc (Brian), of AL; his step-grandchildren, Amanda Caroline of Summerville, TX; Shawn Stuller, Repton, AL, Joshua and Brian Stuller, Pensacola, FL, Destiny Stuller, of Alabama, and Bryson Franc of Alabama; 4 step great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Nahlen was a native of Little Rock, AR, and was a long time resident of Long Beach, MS.  He served in the U.S. Navy from July 1962 until he retired in November 1985 as a Chief Petty Officer.  While in the military, he received numerous service medals, awards, and commendations including the Viet Nam service medal and multiple certifications for heavy equipment operations.  He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School, Conway, AR and later became the owner of Nahlen Maintenance Services.  He was an I.S.A. Certified Arborist and was a two time president of the Mississippi Professional Arborist Association.  He served on the MS Soil and Water Commission of Harrison County’s Protected Areas Management.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, later attending the Catholic chapel at the Navy Sea Bee Base.  He served as Grand Knight in 1995 and 1996 of St. Vincent de Paul Knights of Columbus Council #4898 in Long Beach and for many years, contributed generously to numerous religious organizations.

The family would like to offer special tanks, gratitude, and love to Amporn DeSilva, Leonard’s loving companion and his faithful and tender caregiver.  Also, thanks and deep gratitude are extended to Fr. Paddy Mockler and Fr. Satish Adhav as well as the Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist for their faithfulness in bringing Holy Communion to Leonard and Amporn several times a week over the past year and a half.  The family thanks all of those who visited Leonard and offered their prayers and service.  Finally, appreciation is extended to the team at St. Joseph Hospice for their assistance during the last 18 months.

Memorial contributions may be made in Leonard’s name to the Knights of Columbus Council #4898 for their charitable endeavors.

A visitation will be on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 12 - 1 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm in the church.  Interment will be in Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens.