Leatherman, Alpha H. (1881-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Nov 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1881 Sep 25

text of obituary:

ALPHA H. LEATHERMAN

Alpha H. Leatherman, son of Jacob O. and Christena [sic Christina] Leatherman, was born near Wadsworth, Ohio on Sept. 25, 1881, and departed this life on Oct. 27, 1957, at the age of 76 years, one= month and two days.

When he was 13 years old his parents with their family moved to McPherson County, Kansas. At the age of 25 years he became converted and upon forgiveness of his sins was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

On Oct.14, 1914, he was married to Fanny Holdeman, daughter of John A. and Anne Holdeman. Not being blessed with any children of their own, they took four homeless children and raised them as their own.

On Dec. 25,1928, his companion was taken from him by death. In March of 1929, he with his two youngest children moved back to Medina County, Ohio, living in various homes where his help was needed, and always wanting to be where he could do the most good.

On March 3, 1946, he was married to Amanda Kuepfer, daughter of Jacob B. and Tinna Kuepfer of rural Harrison, where they have resided until the time of his death, having lived together for eleven and one-half years. For ten years they owned and operated a licensed convalescent home faithfully caring for many ill and aged patients.

About two years ago his health began to fail. For the last ten months he had been bedfast, not being agle [sic] to care for himself. He had often expressed his desire to go Home. His suffering was intense, and God has now released him. His wife was his faithful attendant day and night during his illness.

He leaves his wife Amanda; four children, John of Mulvane, Kan., Eunice Cummings of Gravois Mills, Mo., Foster of Healy, Kan., Phobe [sic Phoebe] Unruh of Wrens, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Noah Leatherman of Hillsboro, Kan.; three sisters, Martha Kleinfeldt of Bend, Oregon, Katie Holdeman and Naomi Buerge of Harrison; many nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. His parents, three brothers, and two sisters.

The funeral was held at the Mennonite church near Harrison Oct. 30, 1957, Wilbert Koehn and Frank Haynes officiating. Burial was made in the Cedar Crest Cemetery.