LEONARD BALLESTEROS

Leonard Ballesteros, 84, of DeLand, passed away on October, 5 2011. He was born in East Los Angeles, CA on May 23, 1927 and came to DeLand from Ridgewood, New Jersey in 2004. Leonard served in the Navy during World War II and was ordained as a minister in 1958, taking the pulpit at North Baptist Church of Jersey City (NJ) until 1972. He later became a field representative with the Ministers & Missionaries Benefit Board of American Baptist Churches USA until his retirement in 1999. He continued as an area minister and consultant, was particularly fond of his mission work in Chile and was widely considered a "Pastor to the Pastors", especially throughout the Hispanic church community. He was a member of First Baptist Church of DeLand, where he was a on the mission committee. Leonard loved sports, especially the NY Mets, NY Jets and Stetson University Baseball. He also enjoyed reading, traveling and photography. He loved people and loved caring for them, which was evident in the opening of his home to terminally ill children. Leonard was predeceased by his daughters, LaRicka and Mia. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Nancy; sons, Leonard (Erica) of Westerly, RI, Timothy (Susan) of Tampa, FL; Stephen (Karin) of DeLand, FL; David (Toni) of DeLand, FL; and Paul of Oakland, NJ; daughters, Miriam of DeLand, FL; Ya'Tirah of Trenton, NJ; Alyssa of Boston, MA; Rebecca of DeLand, FL; Nadia of DeLand, FL; and Terry of DeLand, FL; brothers; David (Dolores) of El Cajon, CA; Samuel (Emma) of Lemon Grove, CA; and Robert (Linda) of Salt Lake City, UT; sisters; Celia of Denver, CO; Elizabeth of San Diego, CA; and seven grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 9th, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm in the chapel at First Baptist Church of DeLand. Funeral services will
be on Monday, October 10th at 10 am, also at First Baptist Church of DeLand. Interment will follow at DeLand Memorial Gardens. In lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of DeLand Benevolent Fund, Give Kids the World Village of Kissimmee or Stetson University Baseball. Allen Summerhill is in charge of arrangements and on-line condolences may be made at www.allensummerhill funeralhome.com.