Jan Rae Leatherman, age 72, of Dover, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, while in Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital at Dover.
Born in Union Hospital on June 3, 1953, Jan was a daughter of the late Bob and Jean Wilcoxon Kropp. She was a 1971 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and obtained a Bachelor of Education from Kent State University. In 1981, she began her teaching career with the Apple Creek Developmental Center and remained there until 1999. She then started working at Indian Valley High School until her retirement in 2013.
Jan had many passions in life, which included her deep faith in the Lord. She was a longtime member of Dover First United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed serving as a “fill-in” secretary and being a member of the women’s circle. She enjoyed time spent as a Poll Worker for the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, volunteering for meals at the Salvation Army, and at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center. Jan was also a member of the Lady Elks.
Her other hobbies included fishing at Tappan and Leesville Lake with her sister, never turning down an opportunity to find a slot machine, playing cards, especially Hand and Foot, being an avid Steelers fan, being a member of the Tuscarawas YMCA, and being a member of the Silver Sneakers. Jan also loved her dogs, Drucilla and Desiree.
She will be deeply missed by her husband of 43 years, Terry Leatherman, and her sister Pam (Dan) McClaskey of New Philadelphia.
In keeping with Jan’s wishes, there will be no public services. The Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia is handling arrangements.
The family requests memorial contributions in Jan’s name be directed to Dover First United Methodist Church, 1725 N Wooster Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622, or to the Tuscarawas County Senior Center, 425 Prospect St, Dover, Ohio 44622.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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