John W. Leonard

Osceola-John Wellington Leonard, 87, has been called home by our Lord God Almighty on Monday, March 2, 2026.

John was born to Frank Edward Leonard and Valborg Genevieve (Wold) Leonard on May 30, 1938, at the Lincoln Hospital, Rochelle, Ogle County, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Ann (Martin) Leonard; his parents; his brother, Frank Waldo Leonard and his sister, Florence Nina (Leonard) Solberg, his son, Troy Leonard, and his grandson, Zackary.

As a young child, John lived in Rochelle, IL, West Bend, WI, Theresa, WI, Columbus, WI and Appleton, WI. In 1955, John moved to Warsaw, IN with his parents and graduated from High School in 1956.

From 1956-1958 he attended one year of college and worked for several construction companies in WI, IN and TX.

In December 1958, John entered the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet program and trained at Lockland Air Force Base and Harlingen Air Force Base, TX. In January 1960 he completed navigator training and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force.

On September 10, 1960, John married Kay Ann Martin from Warsaw, IN. They had three children, Troy Eric, Tracey Ann and Mark Joseph. The family traveled extensively the following years with the Air Force. They lived at Selfridge Air Force Base MI; Pholsburg Air Base, France; Hanscom Field, MA; Headquarters Air Defense Command, Colorado Springs, CO; Armed Forces Northern Europe (NATO) Oslo, Norway; Tyndod Air Force Base, FL; and Grissom Air Force Base, IN. John also served one year in Vietnam. Effective 31, Dec. 1982 Major Leonard was relieved from active duty and on 1, Jan. 1983 in the grade of Lt. Colonel was assigned to Retired Reserve.

The Leonard's lived in Rochester, IN, for several years at the end of his military career. In 1986 they moved to South Bend, IN. In retirement they enjoyed gardening, traveling, collecting and restoring antiques, especially old clocks. Kay lived the last 10 years of her life in a nursing home following a severe stroke and other medical problems. Kay died at the age of 75.

John is survived by his daughter, Tracey (Mark) Van Iwarrden of Colorado; son, Mark Leonard also of Colorado and grandchildren, Christian and Alaysa all of Kansas.

John married Sue Ella Tansey on Oct. 24, 2017, in the Coalbush United Methodist Church in Mishawaka. They made their home in Osceola, IN.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM, in Chapel Hill Memorial Garden, 10776 McKinley Hwy, Osceola, with military rites performed.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 23313.

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.