Daniel Duane "Dan" Leitzell

Daniel D. Leitzell, 74, of Boalsburg, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Boalsburg. He was born on October 18, 1950, in Bellefonte, PA to the late Kay and Dorothy (Walker) Leitzell.

Daniel was a 1968 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School where he was a standout three-sport letterman (football, baseball, wrestling). He received a full baseball scholarship to Saint Leo College in Florida where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and business. After college, he served his country in the US Army and US Army Reserves from 1972-1978 and was an active member of the Centre Hall American Legion and Bellefonte Elks.

Daniel's professional career included Prudential Insurance Company, Whitehill Lighting, and Schaedler-Yesco, before returning to Prudential until his retirement in 2015. Through the years, Daniel worked as a widely respected PIAA umpire/official/referee in baseball, football, and wrestling respectively from 1973-2015. His distinguished officiating career included PIAA State Championships in baseball (twice), football (twice), and wrestling (seven times). For his efforts, he was inducted into the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 2013.

One of Daniel's proudest accomplishments was running the 25-second clock/play clock for Penn State football games at Beaver Stadium over the last 46 years. If he wasn't at Beaver Stadium, he could be found at a Penn State wrestling match on campus. Daniel was also an avid golfer and member of the State College Elks Club (now Mountain View) from 1975 to 2025, where he was a Golf Representative for the Central Counties Golf Association. After a round of golf, Daniel always loved the 19th hole and playing pinochle with his buddies.

Dan is survived by his two children, Duane Daniel Leitzell and his wife Sonya of State College, Douglas Alan Leitzell and his wife Missy of Mechanicsburg, as well as their mother Bobbi Jo Leitzell (Kustanbauter) of State College. He is also survived by one brother, Albert Leitzell and his wife Tracey, and by one sister, Janis McWilliams and her husband Keith of Bellefonte. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Morgan Leitzell, nieces Danyell Fondl and her husband Craig and Ashley McWilliams, and nephews, Josh Leitzell (Christy) and Corey McWilliams and his wife Megan.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the Centre Hall American Legion, 2928 Penns Valley Pike, Centre Hall PA 16828. A memorial service will take place at this time; hosted by Jeff Byers and including a military salute by the Centre Hall Military Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life, open to all friends and family, will be held onsite from 4:00pm-6:00pm immediately following the Memorial Service. Burial service will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Centre Hall American Legion or the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club (NLWC).

Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Online condolences may be made to the family at wetzlerfuneralhome.com