1924
John
2014
John William Leather
November 23, 1924 — November 10, 2014
John William Leather, 89, of Hagerstown, passed away, Monday, November 10, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born November 23, 1924 in Beaver Creek, Maryland he was the son of the late, Lewis E. and Bertie E. (Irving) Leather. In addition to his parents he also was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorraine A. (Weaver) Leather; one brother, Lloyd Leather and a sister, Mildred Funk.
Mr. Leather retired as owner and operator of Leather's Plumbing, Heating and Hardware and co- owner of B & L Home and Gardens, all formerly of Hagerstown.
He was a member of the Ringgold Church of Christ; the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 14, Clear Spring; The American Legion Post 0297, Baltimore; a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 14000.
Mr. Leather was an US Army veteran of W.W.II. After joining in 1943 he was assigned to the glider infantry and was able to earn his jump wings. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division. In December of 1944 his unit participated in the action to stem the German advance during the battle of the Bulge. Linking up with Patton's 3rd Army and the 101st Airborne Division they helped relieve Bastogne during one of Europe's coldest winters. Several months after helping to stem Germany's last offensive he participated in operation "Varsity". In March 1945 his glider infantry regiment landed on German soil . Several days after achieving their objective Staff Sergeant Leather was wounded in combat. Despite requests to return to his unit, his war was over. Mr. Leather was a veteran of the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Geraldine F. "Gerry" (Knott) Leather; two sons, Steven A. Leather and wife Pat and David A. Leather and wife Nadine, all of Hagerstown; two daughters, Rebecca A. Leather of California and Susan A. Leather of Hagerstown; one granddaughter, Kristy L. Poffenberger and husband, Brett of Williamsport; two great grandchildren, Caitlin M. Beattie and Wyatt A. Poffenberger; one step daughter, Lorraine Kline and husband George of Hagerstown; a step granddaughter, Cheri Haupt and husband, Greg of Keedysville; a step great grandson, Brandon Redman; two step great granddaughters, Amanda and Lynsey Haupt and John's special buddy Billy his pet cat.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at Rest Haven Funeral Chapel, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown with Rev. Donald E. Conley officiating.
Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard, Morris Frock American Legion Post 42 and the 17th Airborne Division Alumni.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 6-8 P.M.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the DAV Post #14, 11837 Hanging Rock Rd., Clear Spring, MD 21722 or to the BSA Troop 108, Leitersburg, MD.
www.rsthvn.com
Born November 23, 1924 in Beaver Creek, Maryland he was the son of the late, Lewis E. and Bertie E. (Irving) Leather. In addition to his parents he also was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorraine A. (Weaver) Leather; one brother, Lloyd Leather and a sister, Mildred Funk.
Mr. Leather retired as owner and operator of Leather's Plumbing, Heating and Hardware and co- owner of B & L Home and Gardens, all formerly of Hagerstown.
He was a member of the Ringgold Church of Christ; the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 14, Clear Spring; The American Legion Post 0297, Baltimore; a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 14000.
Mr. Leather was an US Army veteran of W.W.II. After joining in 1943 he was assigned to the glider infantry and was able to earn his jump wings. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division. In December of 1944 his unit participated in the action to stem the German advance during the battle of the Bulge. Linking up with Patton's 3rd Army and the 101st Airborne Division they helped relieve Bastogne during one of Europe's coldest winters. Several months after helping to stem Germany's last offensive he participated in operation "Varsity". In March 1945 his glider infantry regiment landed on German soil . Several days after achieving their objective Staff Sergeant Leather was wounded in combat. Despite requests to return to his unit, his war was over. Mr. Leather was a veteran of the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Geraldine F. "Gerry" (Knott) Leather; two sons, Steven A. Leather and wife Pat and David A. Leather and wife Nadine, all of Hagerstown; two daughters, Rebecca A. Leather of California and Susan A. Leather of Hagerstown; one granddaughter, Kristy L. Poffenberger and husband, Brett of Williamsport; two great grandchildren, Caitlin M. Beattie and Wyatt A. Poffenberger; one step daughter, Lorraine Kline and husband George of Hagerstown; a step granddaughter, Cheri Haupt and husband, Greg of Keedysville; a step great grandson, Brandon Redman; two step great granddaughters, Amanda and Lynsey Haupt and John's special buddy Billy his pet cat.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at Rest Haven Funeral Chapel, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown with Rev. Donald E. Conley officiating.
Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard, Morris Frock American Legion Post 42 and the 17th Airborne Division Alumni.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 6-8 P.M.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the DAV Post #14, 11837 Hanging Rock Rd., Clear Spring, MD 21722 or to the BSA Troop 108, Leitersburg, MD.
www.rsthvn.com
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