1922
Jess
2015
Jess J. Leffel
May 20, 1922 — August 23, 2015
Munising
Jess J Leffel, age 93, of Munising, died on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at his home in Munising with his family at his side. He was born on May 20, 1922 in Roundhead, Ohio to the late Jess and Minnie (Gilfillin) Leffel. Jess entered the Civilian Conservation Corps working across the Midwest and into Utah. He moved to Munising to be near his brother who told him about work and great hunting. Jess started working at Munising Wooden Ware and then the Munising Coal Company as a truck driver delivering coal. His supervisor, Edward Perry, Sr. invited him home for dinner where he met his future wife, Laurie Perry. Jess entered into the U.S. Army in November 1942. He was a member of the Signal Corps and ran wires for communications in the field in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. He was in battles at Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. On March 21, 1945, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. While in the service, Jess and Laurie corresponded with each other, and while home on short leave, they were married on August 11, 1945. In 1951, Jess began his employment with the Munising Paper Mill as a laborer and then to the coal conveyor in the power house. In the 1960's Jess progressed to assistant fireman and turbine operator. In 1975, he was named head fireman, the job he held at his retirement in 1982. Jess was a member of the Purple Heart Club, American Legion, and served as Commander of the DAV Chapter #69. He enjoyed traveling, square dancing, being out in nature, hunting, camping, and bird watching. Some called him "Doc Leffel" because he often found interesting ways to cure his kids' ailments and injuries. Jess was a family man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and anyone they brought into his home. He taught them all many life lessons, gave great advice, and brought joy into their family.
He is survived by his son - Ron "Butch" (Lisa) Leffel, Sr. of Richmond, MI; daughters - Barbara "Bunny" (Ed) Heyrman, Kathryn "Kathy" (John) Bennett, Jacalyn "Jacky" Leffel all of Munising, and Mary Jo Bennett; grandchildren - Ron (Pam) Leffel, Jr., Jessica (Dan) Mickelson, Jennifer Leffel, Aaron Leffel, Austin Leffel, Andrew "A.J." Leffel, Joanie (Tim) Lawson, Laura (Scott) Brock, Joey (Tiffanie) Heyrman, Laura (Mike) St. Amour, Lisa (Chad Seaberg) McCoy, Janine Bennett, Greg (Priscilla) Bennett, James (Kristle) Leffel, and Bill Leffel; great-grandchildren - Tashia (Jon), Kristi (Brad), Kendra, Kailyn, Hunter, Allianna, Skyler, Nick, Kent, Timmy, Cheyenne, Landon, Chloe, Natalia, Jocelyn, Zander, and Jaxson; great-great grandchildren - Tanner, Holly, and Anna; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jess was preceded in death by his parents, wife Laurie, son William Leffel, great-grandchildren Bridget Brock, Willow Heyrman, and Kinlee and Ethan Leffel, siblings Steve, Bill, Donnie , and Rosemary.
The American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conclude with committal prayers for Jess and Laurie. A luncheon to follow at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore.
Jess J Leffel, age 93, of Munising, died on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at his home in Munising with his family at his side. He was born on May 20, 1922 in Roundhead, Ohio to the late Jess and Minnie (Gilfillin) Leffel. Jess entered the Civilian Conservation Corps working across the Midwest and into Utah. He moved to Munising to be near his brother who told him about work and great hunting. Jess started working at Munising Wooden Ware and then the Munising Coal Company as a truck driver delivering coal. His supervisor, Edward Perry, Sr. invited him home for dinner where he met his future wife, Laurie Perry. Jess entered into the U.S. Army in November 1942. He was a member of the Signal Corps and ran wires for communications in the field in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. He was in battles at Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. On March 21, 1945, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. While in the service, Jess and Laurie corresponded with each other, and while home on short leave, they were married on August 11, 1945. In 1951, Jess began his employment with the Munising Paper Mill as a laborer and then to the coal conveyor in the power house. In the 1960's Jess progressed to assistant fireman and turbine operator. In 1975, he was named head fireman, the job he held at his retirement in 1982. Jess was a member of the Purple Heart Club, American Legion, and served as Commander of the DAV Chapter #69. He enjoyed traveling, square dancing, being out in nature, hunting, camping, and bird watching. Some called him "Doc Leffel" because he often found interesting ways to cure his kids' ailments and injuries. Jess was a family man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and anyone they brought into his home. He taught them all many life lessons, gave great advice, and brought joy into their family.
He is survived by his son - Ron "Butch" (Lisa) Leffel, Sr. of Richmond, MI; daughters - Barbara "Bunny" (Ed) Heyrman, Kathryn "Kathy" (John) Bennett, Jacalyn "Jacky" Leffel all of Munising, and Mary Jo Bennett; grandchildren - Ron (Pam) Leffel, Jr., Jessica (Dan) Mickelson, Jennifer Leffel, Aaron Leffel, Austin Leffel, Andrew "A.J." Leffel, Joanie (Tim) Lawson, Laura (Scott) Brock, Joey (Tiffanie) Heyrman, Laura (Mike) St. Amour, Lisa (Chad Seaberg) McCoy, Janine Bennett, Greg (Priscilla) Bennett, James (Kristle) Leffel, and Bill Leffel; great-grandchildren - Tashia (Jon), Kristi (Brad), Kendra, Kailyn, Hunter, Allianna, Skyler, Nick, Kent, Timmy, Cheyenne, Landon, Chloe, Natalia, Jocelyn, Zander, and Jaxson; great-great grandchildren - Tanner, Holly, and Anna; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jess was preceded in death by his parents, wife Laurie, son William Leffel, great-grandchildren Bridget Brock, Willow Heyrman, and Kinlee and Ethan Leffel, siblings Steve, Bill, Donnie , and Rosemary.
The American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conclude with committal prayers for Jess and Laurie. A luncheon to follow at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore.
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