Obituary of James Edward Leonhard

James E. Leonhard, 62, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 after a courageous battle with Mesothelioma. Jim was born March 23, 1954 to Jack & Winifred Leonhard, and was a lifelong area resident. He married Deborah Leaf in 1993 and worked as a machinist for Siemens for many years. Jim loved to camp & fish and was an avid card player. He was a wonderful friend to many, and cherished the time he spent with his family. Jim especially enjoyed the little adventures he would take with his grandson Johnathen and his Pomeranian Ace. Jim was preceded in death by his father Jack and sister Kathleen. He is survived by his mother Winifred; beloved wife Debbie; children Nancy (DJ) Henretta, Ashley (Scott) Magoulick, and Jack, Isabel & Michael Leonhard. Sisters Ann (Joe) Takacs, Rose (Dave) Schaeufele, & Beth (John) Waller; brothers Phil (Sandy), John (Cindy), Paul (Linda), and Tom (Holly); Father & Mother-in-law John and Nancy Leaf; sisters-in-law Denise McCulty, Kathy Leaf & Karen Leaf; grandson Johnathen Lindig; and countless nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to the loving doctors, nurses and staff at the Akron General McDowell Cancer Center, especially Dr. Lu and Christina; also to the doctors and staff of the oncology department at Akron General for their kind and compassionate care of Jim. The family will receive friends Friday, December 9 from 4 to 8 PM at the Anthony Funeral Home, Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 10AM. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1317 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 or donate in Jim's name on his Tribute Wall at http://www.curemeso.org.