Ray L. Leitch

Ray L. Leitch, Sr., 82, of Danville, died Sunday, March 29, 2015, at his home in Danville.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, April 3, 2015, at Elliott Chapel, New London. Rev. Aimee Goldmeyer will officiate. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date. Visitation will begin after 9 a.m. Friday at the Chapel, with the family greeting friends from 1:30 to 3 p.m. A memorial has been established to Great River Hospice.

Leitch was born June 16, 1932, in Albion, Ind., the son of Dallas Clayton and Mary Esther Kesling Leitch. He was a graduate of Albion High School, and on April 13, 1952, he married Barbara Gaff in Churubusco, Ind. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army from 1952-1954 and reaching the rank of Sergeant.

Leitch came to Burlington in the late 1960?s, with JI Case. He also worked with JI Case in Mt. Pleasant, in sales. During his lifetime, Leitch owned and operated Ray L. Leitch and Sons Construction and Leer, Inc. He was a well-known diesel mechanic and enjoyed working on heavy equipment. Leitch also enjoyed pheasant and geode hunting. He was of the Christian faith.

Leitch is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Danville; three sons, Ray (JoAnn) Leitch, Jr., of Marionville, Mo.; Terry (Kimberly) Leitch, of Forest City; Delacy (Nancy Ann) Leitch, of Orlando, Fla.; one daughter, Dawn (David) Dameron, of Mt. Holly, N.C.; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Richard Leitch, of Spencerville, Ind.; Willard Leitch, of Pineville, La.; and Daniel Leitch, of Ocala, Fla.; and one sister, Marcille Leatherman, of Albion, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Wilmer, Leo, and James; four sisters, Mary Leitch, Freida Leach, JoAnn Houser, and Rosalie Johnson; and one grandson.