Wayne Leightey
Wayne E. Leightey, 98, of Upper Sandusky, passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022, in the house he was born and raised.
Wayne was born on March 2, 1924, to Flavius Augustus and Jenni Marie (Stoneburner) Leightey. He married Grace Llavone Butcher on June 6, 1943, and he later married Ann Beard on Oct. 28, 1970.
Wayne raised 11 children on the Leightey homestead: Drucilla Rowe, Daniel (Jerry Greene) Leightey, David (Susan Black) Leightey, Dean Leightey, Douglas (Penny Himes) Leightey, Devon (Laura Wieging) Leightey, Tina (Tom) Patrick, Chris (Hope Armstrong) Leightey, Matt (Meredith Burroughs) Leightey, Dayna (Norm) Pahl and Davius (Jeff) Reichelderfer, 30 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David; and a brother, Howard Leightey.
Wayne graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy on Jan. 23, 1945, in the construction battalion division 19th USNCB and division 58th NCB. Wayne was stationed in Okinawa where he operated heavy equipment in the making of the airstrips needed to land American planes. He received an honorable discharge on March, 27, 1946. Wayne retired from the Standard Oil Ohio Company with over 25 years. He worked at Flo’s Halfway Inn for 13 years.
Wayne served as a mounted deputy for the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Department for 20 years. He was involved with 4-H as an advisor for over 50 years and was honored in the Wyandot County Fair book for his service. Wayne loved anything horse, a gift he shared and passed on to many of his children. He was known by many for his love of driving his surry with the fringe on top, with him in his tux and top hat, for proms and anniversaries. He provided a horse and carriage service at weddings for both his children and grandchildren as well as many others in this and the surrounding communities.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 22, from 4-8 p.m. at Bringman Clark Funeral Home, Upper Sandusky, and on Thursday, June 23, from 10-11 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Church, Upper Sandusky. A funeral will be held Thursday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Jim Stauffer and the Rev. Lynn Passet officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Upper Sandusky, with full military rites being conducted by the Upper Sandusky Veterans Color Guard.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wyandot County 4-H horse committee in care of Bringman Clark Funeral Home, 226 E. Wyandot Avenue, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.
Visit www.BringmanClark.com to view the life tribute DVD, send a condolence or share a memory.
