Leo T. MacArthur

Munising

Leo T. MacArthur, age 80, of Munising, died Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.  He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to the late Colin and Laura “Louvima” (McKenzie) MacArthur on February 27, 1941.  Leo graduate from high school in Sault Ste. Marie in 1960.  He was working as a short order cook when he met a student nurse eating at his restaurant, and her name was Jacquelynn Pease.  They were married on January 27, 1962 and together they raised their six children. With a young family, Leo and Jackie moved for work living in Chicago where Leo worked in a cookie factory then to Gladstone where he worked for Harnischfeger Corporation.  Leo and his family eventually moved to Munising where he began working for Hartho and then Kimberly Clark in 1967.  He started in the labor pool and progressed to the Specialties Department, Super Calendar Operator, and then Head Fireman in the Powerhouse the job he held in 1999 when he retired after thirty-two years of service at the mill.  In his younger years, Leo played semi-pro hockey, a sport he loved to continue to watch cheering on the Detroit Redwings and NMU Wildcats.  As he got older, he enjoyed being in leagues for throwing horseshoes, bowling, and playing softball.  Raising their family, Jackie and Leo passed their love of camping and outdoors down to their children through many great family camping trips.  Leo was a wonderful father who gave his kids a safe place to come to talk.  He was always there to pat his kids on the back when they did something good, but also there to give a kick in the butt when they deserved it.  He extended that love to his many grandkids who lovingly called him Papa Leo, a name that he was called by many more than just family.

Leo is survived by his six children – Anne (Everet) McNally, Willard “Bill” MacArthur, Thomas “Tom” (Donna) MacArthur, Pamela “Pam” (Ron) Leffel, Danelle (Jeff) Holcomb, and Kris (Bobbie) MacArthur; grandchildren – Colin (Brie) McNally, Michael (Samantha Trepczyk) McNally, Pami Jean (DJ) Doherty, Amanda (Alex) Grahovac, Willard “Billy” (Rachel) MacArthur, Stevi (Bryan) Tassone, Samuel (Kristina Matthews) MacArthur, Gaylord MacArthur, Heather MacArthur, Nicole (Corey Geyser) MacArthur, Sara (James) Renner, Annie (Jerry) Braun, Sandra (John) DeVries, Tashia (Jon) Cromell, Kristi (Brad) Bruce, Kendra (Rich) Cota, Kyle Holcomb, Trentin Holcomb, Abby (Trevor Travis) Holcomb, Emily (Matt) Benedict, Daniel (Simone Marchus) MacArthur, Megan (Andrew) Espinosa, Hunter (Alissa) MacArthur, Jordan (Jasmyn Hallford) Tufnell MacArthur, Jonny MacArthur, and Leighla MacArthur; thirty-seven great-grandchildren with two more on the way; brother – Donald MacArthur of Salut Ste. Marie; sisters and brothers-in-law – Barb Pease, Mary (Bob) Lee, and Judy (Bob) Wiedenhaft, and tons of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents - Colin and Louvima; wife – Jackie; grandson – Clifford MacNally, siblings – Colin, Bob, John, Glenn, Ed, Russel, Doug, Doris, Audree, Shirley, and Lyle; mother and father-in-law – Gertrude and Willard Pease; and brother-in-law – Vern Pease.

Visitation will be at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  During the visitation at the funeral home, Covid precautions and attendance regulations will be observed as directed by the MDHHS.  Masks will be required and the funeral home staff with be assisting with social distancing and the 25-person attendance restriction. To help with compliance and if able, if you last name begins with A-H please come between 11:00 and 12:00.  If last name begins with I-O, please attend between 12:00 and 1:00, and if your last name begins with P-Z, please attend from 1:00 until 2:00.  At 3:00 p.m. Leo’s family will be welcoming friends at his home at N7548 Carmody Rd. and will share prayers at 4:00 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date at the Munising Township Cemetery.