Janet Elaine Leonhard, 82, of North Manchester, Indiana, died at 4:50 pm, Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester. She was born October 17, 1937 in North Manchester, Indiana to Telford Ferol and Hilda Ernestine (Tracy) Wechter.
Elaine was a 1955 graduate of Central High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Manchester College in 1959, and her master’s degree from St. Francis University in 1965. She was an elementary school teacher and reading coordinator, teaching Kindergarden through 2nd grade from 1959-1994. Elaine was a member of the North Manchester United Methodist Church since 1952, and also belonged to the Tri-Kappa Sorority, the Ivy Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star, and the Indiana State Retired Teachers Association. She was given the Outstanding Young Women of America award in 1970. Elaine enjoyed cross stitching, sewing, and reading.
She is survived by two children, G. William “Bill” (Denise) Leonhard II of North Manchester, and Stephanie (Andy) Castleman of Carmel, Indiana, six grandchildren, Brandy (Austin) Greer of North Manchester, Brooke (Grant) Lawson of Fishers, Indiana, Tristan (Eryn) Leonhard of Valparaiso, Indiana, Brad (Rachel) Briner of Kendallville, Indiana, Taylor Leonhard of St. Louis, Missouri, and Tierney Leonhard of Lansing, Illinois, seven great grandchildren, and her brother, Phillip (Carol) Waechter of North Reddington Beach, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandson, Tanner Leonhard.
Private services will be held at Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.
Preferred memorials are Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or the Tanner Alexander Leonhard Memorial Endowment Fund at Manchester University.
The memorial guest book for Janet may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.