Leon Swartzentruber

Leon Swartzentruber
Leon J. Swartzentruber, age 82 of Ubly, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024.
He was born on September 11, 1941 in Tavistock, Ontario, Canada, to the late Vernon and Elizabeth (Christner) Swartzentruber. He married Susan Frederick on April 2, 1966.
Leon loved to help people and was a consummate storyteller. He thoroughly enjoyed hard work outdoors and had many projects and dreams of future projects throughout his life.
Leon had a wide variety of life experiences and adventures. His family immigrated to Sebewaing, Michigan, from Canada when he was 7, where he grew up on a family farm. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School in Virginia, and then from Goshen College, Indiana, with a degree in History and Psychology. He met his wife, Sue, while serving as a conscientious objector at Lankenau hospital, Pennsylvania, as research subject for the space program. He was very proud of the contributions of work they did there. He sold encyclopedias door-to-door as a national sales trainer, was an insurance executive for Principal Life in Cleveland, Ohio, was a dairy farmer and then a beef farmer in Michigan, served on the Huron County DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement) board, worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and finished out his work life as an Operating Engineer mainly on large civil projects.
Leon and his wife found friendship with a Japanese couple soon after marriage that lasted a lifetime. They had two Japanese exchange students that became like daughters to them. They enjoyed several trips to Japan visiting their friends. They traveled to Europe and researched the Swartzentruber family heritage in Switzerland. After retirement, Leon was active in Master Gardeners and was a Friend of the Octagon Barn.
Leon found peace at the end of his life, and he will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Leon is survived by: His wife Susan Swartzentruber of Ubly, Michigan. Children Sharon Morgan, John Schwartzentruber, and James Schwartzentruber. Grandchildren Grace Martin, Zachary Morgan, Hanna Martin, Caban Schwartzentruber, Logan Schwartzentruber, Evan Schwartzentruber, Brody Schwartzentruber, Violetta Schwartzentruber, and 8 great-grandchildren. Siblings Elva Mast, Melva Barstow, and Harold Swartzentruber.
He was preceded in death by his father Vernon Swartzentruber, mother Elizabeth Swartzentruber, sister Joyce Marmion, and grandson Dylan Schwartzentruber.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 11 am at the Kaufman Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Burial will be in Valley Cemetery in Ubly, vehicle procession will be for family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 2 - 7 pm or Monday from 10 am until the service time at 11 am at Kaufman Funeral Home. Luncheon will be held at the Franklin Inn, Bad Axe, after the funeral service on Monday, April 8. Luncheon gathering at Franklin Inn begins at 12 pm, lunch to be served starting at 1 pm.
Donations or volunteer help for the Octagon Barn would continue Leon's legacy: https://www.thumboctagonbarn.org/what-we-do/join-us/.
If you wish to offer your condolences to the Swartzentruber family, please go to www.kaufmanfuneralhome.com