Leroy Joseph Horstmann, 80, of Festus died March 21, 2026, at his home. Mr. Horstmann was a retired union carpenter, a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 1721 of Festus-Crystal City and a member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). While the first love of his life was his wife, his second love was drag racing. He began racing at the age of 16. He had a passion for Fords and, when he wasn’t racing them, he spent his time building two of them with his good friend Skip: A Ford Anglia named Home Brew I and a Ford Pinto named Home Brew III. When his racing days came to an end, he began traveling with his brother, Gary, and nephew, Tim, who drag raced, serving as their crew chief. He met many friends along the way. Born Sept. 12, 1945, in London, England, he was the son of the late Emma (Collins) and Culver Horstmann Sr.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Ellen (Vaughn) Horstmann.
He is survived by a son: Jonathan (Lynn) Trask of Festus; three daughters: Joan (Demi) Trask of St. Louis, Jennifer Steele of Festus and Jocelyn (Nancy) Clemens of St. Louis; four grandchildren: Meagan (Colin) Trask, Anthony (Kori) Trask, Kacie (Adam) Elder and Zachary Steele; seven great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; a great-great-granddaughter; four sisters: Irene (Dennis) Glaser of Phoenix, Ariz., Mary (the late Leslie) Musil of Springfield, Anna Mae Myers of High Ridge and Linda (Larry) Sheppard of Granite City, Ill.; a brother: Gary (Kathy) Horstmann of Festus; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.
He also was preceded in death by a brother: Culver Horstmann Jr.; and a nephew: Chad Glaser.
A memorial gathering is scheduled from 3 p.m. until memorial services at 5 p.m. Monday, March 30, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Chaplin Brian Jenkerson. Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice Care Inc., 5272 Flat River Road, Park Hills, 63601, or Alzheimer's Association Greater Missouri Chapter, 11433 Olde Cabin Road, St. Louis, 63141. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.