John B. Leinbach

John B. Leinbach, aged 77 of Wautoma, Wisconsin, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. surrounded by family members. He was born on December 11, 1947, in Baumansville, PA, to William and Elizabeth (Burkholder) Leinbach. He married Ruth M. (Martin) Leinbach on September 7, 1972.

On October 10, Daddy told Mom he was going to the garden to finish picking the green beans. He wasn’t out there long before she saw him slowly head to the house. She asked him if he had gotten them picked. Without answering her question, he told her he didn’t think he would be here much longer. He had made that comment numerous times in the past year, and many of us had noticed his health declining. Mom tucked his comment in the back of her mind, telling herself that he had rallied other times after warning her his end was near. He was less active on Friday and Saturday.

He spent a restless night Saturday, and by Sunday morning, Mom could tell he was dealing with lots of pain. When she asked how he felt, he again said, “Mama, dear, I do not think I will be here much longer.”

The family wanted to respect his wishes for no life support, but by early afternoon when his breathing was so labored, the children checked into getting him some oxygen. They were told he needed to have a doctor’s prescription, so they made the decision to call the ambulance. After a brief check at the Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh, they diagnosed him with sepsis and kidney failure and said he showed signs of heart problems. They wanted to send him to a bigger hospital for dialysis.

He was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. The doctor there determined he had had a heart attack and explained that Daddy’s condition was serious. The doctors fully supported his desire not to prolong life with life support. One doctor acknowledged God by saying, “Absolutely! If he is at peace with God and ready to meet his Maker, we will keep him as comfortable as possible until he goes.”

Hospice encouraged the family that the medical team would be just as qualified to keep him comfortable until the end.

As family members arrived, he recognized and acknowledged each son. In the last hour of his life, he opened his eyes when spoken to, but it took too much energy to talk. His body started trembling, and the nurse explained his trembling came from being oxygen deprived. The family who could be present gathered around his bed and sang from memory. Because we had switched the verses in All the Way My Savior Leads Me, we were finishing the song with the last two lines of the second verse, “Gushing from the rock before me; Lo a spring of joy I see,” when he raised his arms and leaned forward. His heart stopped, and his struggle was over.

While the sting of death is a reality, the family is grateful he did not have to endure a long period of suffering.

He is survived by his wife; twelve children, Barbara (Luke) Ebersole, Wautoma, WI; Clara (Earl) Hoover, Milmont, PA; Dorcas (Carlos) Witmer, Great Falls, MT; Stephen (Darlene) Leinbach, Blanford, MA; Naaman (Stephanie) Leinbach, Goshen, IN; Titus (Beth) Leinbach, Loma, CO; Thomas (Delores) Leinbach, Redgranite, WI; Clement (Marylynn) Leinbach, Barnett, MO; Reuben (Lori) Leinbach, Blandford, MA, Timothy (Kaylene) Leinbach, Oregon, IL; John Aaron (Janet) Leinbach, Augusta, WI, and Hannah (Clayton) Beachy, Tremonton, UT; sixty-three grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mahlon Leinbach; and a brother, Christian Leinbach.

Funeral services will be held at 10AM on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Oak Ridge Mennonite Church, Wautoma with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 2-4PM and from 6-8PM at the church.