Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.

How do you know Charles Dean Leonard?

Family Friend Work Other

We are sorry for your loss.

Help others honor Charles's memory.

Copy

Coping with Grief

We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.

Official Obituary of

Charles Dean Leonard

April 10, 1936 ~ July 12, 2021 (age 85) 85 Years Old

Charles Leonard Obituary

Holt, Michigan

Age 85, passed away July 12, 2021 at his daughter’s home.

Charles was born April 10, 1936 on the family farm in Holt, MI to parents, Clarence and Margaret (Horstmyer) Leonard. He graduated from Holt High School in 1954, where he made dear friends that he continued to have monthly dinners and conversation with for over 65 years.

In 1957, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served time in Germany until 1959. He married the love of his life, Beverly (Broskey) in 1959. She remained the spark in his eye for 60 years until her passing in 2018. Shortly after their marriage, he began work at Diamond REO of Lansing, MI, and worked there until their closing in 1974. He then went on to work as a machinist at National Welding of Lansing, MI until he retired. Charlie and his brother, Stanley, bought the family farm becoming Leonard Brothers, LLC. They farmed together for 30 years before retiring. They had a bond that words cannot describe. His passion was farming. His own garden planted this spring is currently flourishing.

Charles was a caretaker from an early age, even sitting with and caring for his own grandfather as a child until he passed away. Most people did not know of his own personal health struggles or when he suffered because he never made himself the focus of a conversation. His nurturing spirit and selflessness extended to Beverly’s younger disabled sister, Iva, whom he and Beverly cared for from the time she was a child until her passing in 2016. Charles, Beverly, and Iva shared a wonderful life hosting family gatherings, taking trips Up North, and spending time with their beloved neighbors, Dr. Joseph and Susan Rook and Mike and Jan Yeager. Special thanks to Rose Broskey for her loyalty, friendship, and presence in our dad’s life until his last breath.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; sister, Beverly Doerr; brother, Richard Leonard; and several Broskey in-laws. Surviving are his children: Janette (Joel) Sanders, Dawn (Greg) Goodman, and Maridean DeLong (Tim Stepanovich); five grandchildren: Laura Mowatt, Lana Sanders, Leanna Sanders, Warren DeLong, and Carlie Hartwick; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Stanley (Kay) Leonard; sister, Joan Sukovich; and several Broskey in-laws.

A private family service has been held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leonard family who will be making a contribution to the United Ostomy Association of America in honor of Charles. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Dean Leonard, please visit our floral store.