Schmucker, Leonard E. (1923-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Sep 21 p. 9

Birth date: 1923 Aug 24

text of obituary:

LEONARD E. SCHMUCKER

Leonard E. Schmucker, 86, of Louisville, Ohio, died Sept. 8, 2009. He was born Aug. 24, 1923, to Elmer and Ada (Maurer) Schmucker in Louisville.

On Feb. 20, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Sommers, while he was serving in Civilian Public Service at a mental hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich. He had earlier CPS assignments at Medaryville, Ind., and Downey, Idaho.

After completing CPS, he studied at Goshen (Ind.) College and Goshen Biblical Seminary and helped with a mission church, Locust Grove, completing seminary in 1951. He was ordained to the ministry in 1952, and later that year moved to Michigan, where he was pastor of Cedar Grove Mennonite Church near Manistique. After 13 years, he and his family moved to Imlay City, Mich., to serve as pastor of Bethany Mennonite Church for nine years.

In 1975 they moved to Hesston, Kan., so he could study nursing at Hesston College. He completed the requirements for Registered Nurse and worked at Schowalter Villa for 14 years. He was a member of Hesston Mennonite Church. After several years of retirement, they moved back to their home community of Louisville and again joined Beech Mennonite Church.

He praised God through singing — in church groups, quartets and the 300-member Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus for 20 years. He enjoyed gardening, cabinet making, craft woodworking and painting.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lucille; six children, Lillian Badrak and her husband, Michael, of Cadillac, Mich., Marvin Schmucker and his wife, Lee, of Wichita, Kan., Myrna Roiser of Rochester Hills, Mich., Carol Fite and her husband, Dave, of Quarryville, Pa., Darrel Schmucker and his wife, DeeAnn, of Sacramento, Calif., and Ron Schmucker and his wife, Lisa, of DeSoto, Kan.; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Vernon, Elden and Loren; and a sister, Agnes Basinger.

Memorial services were held at Beech Mennonite Church, Louisville, Ohio.