Bert O. Leach, 94, of Ottawa, died on Monday morning, February 25, 2019, at his home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park, with Rev. Paul Robinson, Pastor of Harvest Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will follow with a Flag Folding Ceremony conducted by American Legion Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, in the Mausoleum. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Bert was born on August 18, 1924 in Bloomington, IL to George and Ethel (Popejoy) Leach. He served in the US Navy Veteran of WWII. Bert married Mary Noland on December 13, 1947 in Gibson City, IL. He retired from Caterpillar in Aurora in 1986, after working there for 21 years. Bert was a member of Harvest Baptist Church, UAW Local 145, and the American Legion Post 33.
He is survived by a son, Richard “Bud” Leach, of Ottawa, 4 daughters, Beverly Callahan, of Ransom, Kathy (Mike) Gerding, of Ottawa, Janet (Richard) Acuff, of Ottawa, and Rebecca (Terry) Harvey, of Ottawa, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and a sister, Ethel Marlene Studebaker, of Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by his wife, on December 27, 2012, a son Roger Leach, a grandson, Casey Leach, 2 brothers, Merle and Daral Leach, 3 sisters, Greta Leach, Virginia Arteman, and Mary Lou Tallon, and a son-in-law, Rudd Callahan. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and great grandsons.
Memorials may be directed to the Building Fund at Harvest Baptist Church.
Bert has been laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Devotion.