Leon Joseph Demerath

Leon Joseph Demerath, 94, formerly of Mt. Pleasant. MI passed away on January 2, 2026, at Evangelical Home of Saline in Saline, MI. He was born January 11, 1931, in Little Chute, WI, son of the late Frank and Anna (Koestler) Demerath. He married Rosalee Finnegan on October 2, 1954, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. Leon was a truck driver and also sold insurance. He was a Rotarian and a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1973 he moved with his family from Green Bay, WI to Mt. Pleasant, MI. Some of his favorite pastimes were traveling, calling bingo for the Knights of Columbus and doing puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his wife Rosalee (Finnegan), son, Patrick, and five brothers: Francis, Joseph, Michael, Peter and Albert; and six sisters: Edith, Rita, Mary, Ann, Theresa and Gloria. Leon is survived by five children Margaret (Randy) Bellinger of Dayton, OH, Dennis (Susan) Demerath of Shepherd, MI, Nancy (Stephen) Young of Hurst, TX, John (Kathy) Demerath of Tecumseh, MI, and Matthew (Graciela) Demerath of Dexter, MI; daughter-in-law, Patricia Demerath of Oswego, IL. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth (David) Maas of Appleton, WI and 14 grandchildren: Hanna, Jessica, Eric, Emily, Lauren, Jacqueline, Grace, Christine, Rachel, Andrew, Broderick, Corbin, Pablo, and Dante; great grandsons: Levi, Leo, Finnegan, Noah and Levi Patrick, and greatgranddaughters: Zoey, Rosalee, Isla, Abigail and Elaina.
A Funeral Mass for Leon will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, 11:00 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church 6805 Mast Road, Dexter, MI 48130, with a luncheon to follow.
Leon will be interred in St. Mary's Cemetery in Kaukauna, WI. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Arbor Hospice.