MICHAEL E. LEACH

Michael E. Leach GLANDORF Michael E. Leach, 83, of Glandorf, passed away on Sunday October 13, 2024, at the Meadows of Ottawa. Mike was born August 14, 1941, in Rumson, New Jersey, to Robert and Agnes (Heckman) Leach. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant sister Patricia Ann; his brother John Leach; and a nephew James Leach. He is survived by two nieces JoAnn (Denton) Landon, Mary (Alan) Unterbrink, a nephew, Dr. John Robert (Renaee) Leach; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Leach. He graduated from Glandorf High School in 1960 and attended UNOH, Ohio Northern University and Mary Manse College. He matriculated at Ohio Northern majoring in English and minoring in art, German, and business. Upon graduation in 1967, he began his 38-year career on the faculty at Pandora Gilboa High School as an English and German teacher. It was his joy to conduct over 20 student/ adult tours of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In retirement he continued to teach at UNOH and Bluffton College. A life-time learner, in 1968, he studied at the Institute for the Advanced Study of German at Montana State in Bozeman, Montana. In 1973, he was chosen as a Fulbright Scholar at the Goethe Institut in Ebersberg, Germany. Later he studied at the Padageoische Hochschule fuer Deutschunterricht at the University of Saltzburg, Austria. In 1975, he completed his Master of Arts degree in American studies at Bowling Green State University. His master's thesis was later published as a book "Called to the Vinyard" detailing the religious community in Glandorf and the significance of St. John's church, one of four books he published on the church. He served on the Parish Council, was chairman of the 150th Sesquicentennial of the Precious Blood community in Glandorf. He was parish representative to the Toledo Diocesan Parish Assembly, was instrumental in re-establishing contact with the mother community in Germany, served on the Board of Directors of Social Services in the Toledo Dioceses and the Board of Directors of Social Services in Putnam, Allen and Van Wert counties, served on the board of directors of the Ministry to the Charismatic Renewal of the Dioceses. Since 1967, he functioned as the parish historian conducting numerous tours of the church. He also served as Christmas sacristan and on the Liturgical Environment Committee. He was the founder and first curator of the St. John's church museum. Following the disastrous 1992 fire, he served as project director in restoring and decorating the church. In 2017 he again served as the design specialist and historian for further restoration. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Putnam County Historical Society. Mike loved spending time with friends, sharing his garden, his love of birds and dogs, collecting antiques and religious articles, relating the history of Glandorf, a lifetime of study, learning to play a number of musical instruments in his retirement, and meeting and corresponding with former students and faculty members. It was his joy to bring the history of Glandorf into the limelight and interpret it for the next generations. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 19, 2024, at St. John's Catholic Church, Glandorf, with public viewing one hour before the service. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Following the funeral service, there will be a sharing of memories and a luncheon. The public is welcome. Officiating at the Mass will be, the Reverend Tony Fortman, Reverend Matt Keller, with the Reverend Rick Friebel, as principal celebrant. Deacon Eric Kaufman will be the homilist. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, please address all contributions to the Glacier Park Foundation, PO Box 15641 Minneapolis, MN 55415 in Mike's memory. Arrangements are under the direction of LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.