Aug. 19, 1925 — Jan. 9, 2016

Harold John Leach, 90, formerly of Niles, Michigan died at 7:25 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at the Thompson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky following a brief illness.

He was born on Aug. 19, 1925, in Niles to Adrian F. and Hazel (Pierce) Leach. He was graduated from Niles High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, eventually being discharged as a veteran of World War II.

He was employed at the Bendix Corporation in South Bend, and was a member of the UAW Local #9 for his entire career.

He and his wife retired to Naples, Florida.

John was a member of the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Niles. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles, and AARP. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, and traveling, especially with his wife in their recreational vehicle, throughout most of the U.S.

On March 11, 1946, in Mishawaka, he married the former Doris Eileen Mann with whom he celebrated the remarkable 65th anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Sept. 27, 2011.

He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Elizabeth Leiler, Annabelle Betz, Evelyn Burnham, Gertrude Johnson, Joyce Backus, Frank Leach, Fred Leach, and Robert Leach.

Surviving family includes his children, Karen Gale (Charles) Richards of Anniston, Alabama, Carrol Lee (Stanley) Rouch of Georgetown, Kentucky, and John H. (Evelyn) Leach of Cythiana, Kentucky; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and Harold’s sister, Wilma Pyburn of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Harold John Leach will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2016, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Wayne Shearier of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Contributions in memory of Harold John Leach may be made to the Salvation Army in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com