Leon Neal Stutzman

Leon Neal Stutzman, 95, of Albany, Oregon, passed away on December 13, 2025. He was born September 22, 1930, at Wood River, Nebraska, the fifth child of David and Fannie (Boshart) Stutzman. At the age of five, Lee made the trek to Oregon with his parents and four siblings, settling in the Willamette Valley. He spent his early years attending schools in Albany, Holly (near Sweet Home), and Salem, completing grade nine at Western Mennonite School before returning home to help on the family farm. He later earned his GED.

On October 15, 1950, Leon married Luella Sharer, the love of his life for over74 years until her death in April 2025. For several years, he worked at a sawmill, farmed, and operated a dairy before moving his family to Grants Pass to work in the lumber industry and assist with church planting. In 1962, Leon and Pastor Max Yoder started a retail lumber business, Farmer's Building Supply, where most of the next 54 years were spent greeting customers and driving a forklift, his happy place. Although he missed Farmer's and Grants Pass, he renewed old friendships and established new ones when Mennonite Village became home in 2016.

Leon was the dearly-loved dad of three sons, cherished grandpa of twelve, and adored great-grandpa of fourteen. The grandchildren have wonderful memories of outings with Grandpa and Grandma, such as trips to Dairy Queen, Enchanted Forest,

Disneyland, the Coast, and Grandpa's favorite, a local dairy. Great-grandkids loved to take rides in his buggy (golf cart) around the Village. He blessed every child and grandchild with a clock, most of which were grandfather clocks constructed by him.

Leon was a lifelong follower of Jesus and an active member of Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren churches, serving in various capacities, such as treasurer, Sunday School teacher, elder, and general fix-it man. He was a charter member of Grants Pass

Mennonite Church (later known as New Hope Bible Church), as well as a member of The Gideons International for many years. He supported numerous missions, both local and global, and will be remembered for his kindness, loyalty, friendship, generosity, and servant's heart.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, David and Fannie; siblings, Berniece Core, Kirk (infant), Doris, Cecil, Nadine (infant); wife, Luella; and sons, Lowell and Douglas. He is survived by his sister, Berdella; brother, David; son, Mark; two daughters-in-law, Patty (Lowell) and Bridget (Doug); twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairview Mennonite Church on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Lunch will be served immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairview Mennonite Church and specified for Christian Aid Ministries or Kids Alive. Please indicate that the donation is for CAM or KA, Leon Stutzman Memorial. (35100 Goltra Road SE, Albany, OR 97322)