May
7, 1922 - Nov. 25, 2009SOUTH BEND - Earl M. Leonhard, 87, residing in South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, November 25, 2009 in his home, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born May 7, 1922 in Plymouth, IN, the son of Earl E. & Mildred (Myers) Leonhard. On March 19, 1944 in the First United Brethren Church, South Bend, Earl was united in marriage to Ruth L. Wilson. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth of sixty-five years. Also surviving are two daughters, Jessica Leonhard of South Bend, and Jennifer (Don) Pamachena of Brownsburg, IN, six grandchildren, Trevor Toll, Whitney Toll, Landon Toll, Nathan Coddens, Andrew Leonhard, and Edward Leonhard, two step-grandchildren, Aubrey (Isaiah) Helms, and Gregory Pamachena, and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, John A. Leonhard in 1996, and a brother, John J. Leonhard. He attended the University of Notre Dame for two years, and proudly served his country in the United States Army-Air Force as a Pilot, flying the B-24 Bomber in fifty-two missions during WWII. Mr. Leonhard was owner and operator of Leonhard Vending & Leonhard Distributing Companies for 47 years, retiring in 1983. From 1955 - 1975, he was Agency Manager of 1st United Life Company. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, and former member and President of People's Church in downtown South Bend. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28, at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend. Rev. Paul Nye and Rev. John McFarland will officiate. Graveside services and military honors will follow at Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel. Contributions in memory of Mr. Leonhard may be offered to Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 61770 Miami Road, South Bend, IN 46614. Online condolences to the Leonhard Family may be made to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com