Kenneth Leitch

Kenneth Leitch, Jr., 83, a resident of Churubusco, died at 9:07 p. m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.e He had been in declining health for some time. Mr. Leitch was born on August 5, 1925 in Whitley County, a son of Kenneth P. and Thelma Evangela (Herron) Leitch, and as a young man served during World War II with the U. S. Marine Corps. A lifelong resident of the Churubusco-area, he retired in 1983 as a machinist with International Harvester in Fort Wayne after 27 years. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco and the Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco.e In his leisure time he enjoyed spending summers in Sarona, Wisconsin, playing golf, target shooting, and gardening. His marriage took place in Churubusco on June 5, 1963 to Ruth E. Miller.e She survives. Also surviving are his children Ellen (Gary) Smith of Albion, Valeria (Jerry) Cheek of Auburn, Jeannette (Gary) Petelle of Churubusco, Vickie Leitch of Moore, Oklahoma, Scott (Debbie) Leitch of Churubusco, and Christopher Hardacre of Columbia City; his sisters Arrena Diffendarfer and Janette Johnson, both of Churubusco; two sisters-in-law Mary Jane Leitch of Fort Wayne and Irene Leitch of Arizona; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Ross Leitch and Don Leitch. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Monday, February 2, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco with Pastor Lane Burgland, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Sunday from 2 to 5 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Private family interment with military graveside rites will be in Concordia Cemetery, Fort Wayne. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco. ********************************** To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Leitch's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .