John E.Leonard Jr., of Defiance, passed away Thursday, April 4,2013 at the CHP Defiance In-Patient Hospice Center, after an extended illness.

He was born in Lantana, Flordia , May 4,1926, the son of John and Anna Minck Leonard, who preceded him in death. He married Marjorie Dillinger in 1946, who also preceded him in death. He retired from Dinner Bell in Defiance after 30 years of service. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps during World War II, as a pilot. He was a graduate of Defiance High School, 1945, a member of the VFW, St. John's Catholic Church, Defiance, and the Knights of Columbus. John loved to hunt, fish, and refinish antique furniture.

Surviving are five daughters Sue (Rex) Caperton , Cecil, Sharon (Lynn) Sheets, Sylvia (John) Ricica , Sharmaine (Dave) Kondas , and Sally Bernal, all of Defiance. Eleven grandchildren, Robert Caperton , Cecil, Jennifer Boyd, Julie Bok, Michael Shock, Denise Pannell, Zac Ricica , Jason Bernal, all of Defiance , Kyle Ricica , Stacy Kondas , Rhode Island, Brent Kondas , Columbus, Jesse Bernal Jr., Toledo. Seventeen great-grandchildren and a great great-grandson, Tristen Caperton , two sisters Terri Leonard, and Betty Haller.

Also preceding him in death were a daughter, Sandra Bok, a great-grandson Nathan Pannell, a brother Louis Leonard and two sisters Maxine Corwin, and Marjorie Ripke .

Visitation will be Monday, April 8,2013 from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 1:00 pm in St. John's Catholic Church, Defiance, with Fr. Todd Dominique officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.