Helen Leasure James, age 90, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away July 8, 2013. She was born in Wellston, Ohio, the oldest of six children to Ebon Bert and Allie Whetstone Merrill. She graduated from Wellston High School and married William E. Leasure. Together they had four sons, William D. Leasure (Donna), Gary E. Leasure (Rose Mary), Timothy D. Leasure (Julie), all of Kettering, Ohio and Anthony M. Leasure (Becky) of Downers Grove, Illinois.
She is survived by eight grandchildren, Tammi Meier (Darryl), Gary Leasure, Jr. (Vanessa), Will Leasure (Polly), Steven Leasure (Jaimi), Michelle Dziedzinskyi (Lance), Mathew Leasure (Rachel), Andrew Leasure (Hailee), and Ginny Schultz; as well as her 10 great-grandchildren, Sam Meier, Stephanie Leasure, Joshua Leasure, Maxwell Leasure, Julianne Leasure, Zoe Leasure, Adelaide Leasure, Isaiah Leasure, Amelia Leasure and Elizabeth Leasure. She leaves one sister, Betty Matte; a son of Wellston, Ohio and one sister-in-law, Edith McGlinchey of Columbus, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Leasure and later in life William James; son, William D. Leasure; brother, Don Merrill; and sisters, Dorthy Dunfee, Edna Mitchell and Ruby Vickers.
She worked for several companies in the Dayton, Ohio area including Lazarus, Elder-Beerman, State Mutual Life, American Purolator Courier and in Florida for the Belt Lindsey family as well as being a restaurant owner for many years in Enon, Ohio. She was a former Worthy High Priestess with the Dayton White Shrine and a lifetime member of Eastern Star of Jackson, Ohio and First Baptist Church of Wellston, Ohio. Her successes in life were the “love” of her family and friends and she will be remembered for her faith in Jesus Christ and her prayers for those hurting and those in need. She was blessed with the love for her parents and her entire family and will be deeply missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to The First Baptist Church, 106 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wellston, Ohio 45692 or to the Hartzell United Methodist Church, 8999 Applewood Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. Funeral service for family and friends will be held on July 11, 2013 at the Woodland Cemetery Mausoleum, 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45409 with viewing hours from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. and services will start at 1 p.m. with Rev. Will Leasure, Pastor, presiding.
via Helen Leasure James – www.theTelegramNews.com | Jackson and Vinton County’s Home Page – Jackson, OH.