WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Leon S. Kimball, age 89 of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Saturday afternoon Feb. 28, 2009, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room.
He was born Jan. 21, 1920, in Sturgis, a son of the late Ray and Elsie (Squires) Kimball.
Leon had resided in Sturgis his whole life.
On March 3, 1945, he married Rolla Grattan at Fort Bragg, N.C. This marriage ended in divorce.
He married Dolores Starai on May 25, 1985, in Chicago. This marriage also ended in divorce.
For many years Leon was a general contractor, owning and operating his own construction company. He currently was a real estate broker and owned and operated Premier Properties in Sturgis.
He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis and since 1952, had been an active member of the Sturgis Rotary Club.
Leon was very involved in the St. Joseph County Republican Party and the St. Joseph County Board of Realtors for many years. He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning the rank of Second Lieutenant.
He is survived by two daughters, Nancy (Mitchell) Rinek of Okemos and Martha (David) Cathcart of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; one son, John (Nancy) Kimball of Minneapolis, Minn.; six grandchildren, Andrew Rinek, Christopher Rinek, Blair Cathcart, Grant Cathcart, Megan Kimball and Lindsay Kimball; and his former wife, Dolores Kimball of Sturgis.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Leon Kimball will be held March 20 at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. Service time will be announced closer to date of services. The Rev. Deb Johnson will officiate.
A private graveside committal of the ashes will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date, when full military rites will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be directed to the Rotary Sand Fill Project c/o: Sturgis Rotary Club, P.O. Box 7074, Sturgis, MI 49091. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
