Paul M. Leitch, 84, of Albion, died at 9:45 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2009 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Nikki and Terry Marker, in Silver Lake.
He was born May 7, 1924 in Avilla, a son of Merl O. and Fannie (Hossinger) Leitch. His formative years were spent in Churubusco. He graduated from Churubusco High School.
On August 28, 1943 he was inducted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart and Bronze Stars on December 30, 1945.
On February 19, 1944 he was united in marriage to J. Maurine Willits. They made their first home in Churubusco. In 1961 they moved to Albion, moving to their present home in 1986.
While residing in Churubusco, he managed the Churubusco Feed Mill. From 1961 until 1979 he owned and operated the Albion Locker Storage. Following his retirement, he worked for Trailer Express for a few years.
A former Churubusco fireman, he was a member of American Legion Post #246 and Repeater 21 Amateur Radio Club.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Maurine; three children, Nikki M. (Terry) Marker of Silver Lake, Douglas M. (Jinna) Leitch of Albion and Kim (Jeff) Hoover of Ligonier; five grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a sisters, Phyllis (Robert) Zolman of Churubusco; a sister-in-law, Ilene Leitch of Churubusco; and special friends, Joe and Deb Halsey of Albion. He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Watson and a brother, Everett Leitch.
The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Bill Farmer officiating. The burial will be in Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. The visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Hospice of Kosciusko County.