John Robert Leever

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, John Leever, age 72, on February 20, 2025. Born on February 15, 1953, John was a man of many passions, and his love for life was felt by everyone who knew him.
A proud Buckeye football fan, he loved watching football and cheering on his team, often with the same intensity and enthusiasm that he brought to every part of his life. His passion for sports extended beyond the field to a deep appreciation for old cars, a love sparked by his first car, a 1962 Chevy Impala.
In his early career, John worked for the family business, Leever Glass, before eventually going on to own his own glass company in Florida. His entrepreneurial spirit and hard work made a lasting impact, and he was admired for his commitment to his craft and the people he worked with.
A true free spirit, he was known for his feisty nature, especially when it came to matters he was passionate about. He never shied away from standing up for what he believed in, especially in the realm of politics, where his opinions were always strong and delivered with passion.
He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, independence, and love for the things that brought him joy. He will be remembered by family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him for his passion, unwavering spirit, but mostly his laugh. His laugh made everyone in the room laugh. His laugh was his trademark. And that's something that we will always cherish.
He is survived by his two daughters, Jenelle Kahle (Chad) and Annie Marckel (Ben), two sisters, Jeanne Zellers and Jody Johnson (Kyle), and his five grandchildren, Lily, Sophia, Stella, Will and Charlotte. As well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family who loved him deeply.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret (Peg) and William (Bill) Leever, as well as his sister, Jane Bishop, his brother, Joe Leever, his nephews Robert "Bo" Leever and Drew Jimenez and his brother in law, Tom Zellers.
A celebration of life will be held on July 26, 2025, from 1-4pm at the VFW in Defiance to celebrate his life and the memories he left behind.
Rest in peace, dad. We love you and miss you, and will always remember the crazy, fun memories with you.