Gerald W. Leighton
Gerald W. Leighton, 87, of Elkhart, Ind., went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:40 a.m. Thursday, December 27, 2012, in Hubbard Hill Estates, Elkhart.
He was born April 27, 1925, in Clarkston, Mich. a son of the late Ralph and Ecka Bird Leighton.
On April 19, 1984, in Elkhart, he married Sandra L. Scott, who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Sherry (Jeff) DeCicco of Pittsburgh; three stepchildren, Theresa (Mark) Wright of Amity, Tom (Linda) Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Rhonda Machado of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Phyllis Locke of Anna Marie Island, Fla., Carolyn (Newt) Bates of Vineland, N.J., and Dorothy Scott of Holly, Mich.; a special niece, Laura Getter of Elkhart; and a special nephew, Stevie (Lisa) Scott of Waterford, Mich.
Deceased are a son, Gary, who was killed in Vietnam, and a stepson, Bill Smith.
Mr. Leighton was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
He attended Michigan State University and was a member of Northside Baptist Church.
Mr. Leighton enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid gardener and at one time had 15 horses on his farm in Pennsylvania. He dearly loved his dog, Spike.
He was the owner of Leighton’s Bed Liners when he lived in Pennsylvania. He also was a district sales manager for the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors for 15 years and worked for Custom Foam Manufacturing for four years.
Cremation will take place in Elkhart Cremation Services. A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date. Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be given to Northside Baptist Church or Elkhart County Humane Society.