The Reverend Carl J. Leach, 84, formerly of 103 Dieker Place, Saint Marys, went to be with the Lord on May 14, 2011. He passed away surrounded by family and friends.

He was born March 6, 1927, in Salem, Ohio, the youngest of six siblings to Roy and Mary (Beck) Leach.

He married Charmaine Russell on March 25, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church in Saint Marys. She preceded him in death on December 31, 2006.

Carl served in the US Coast Guard as an able Seaman, Pacific Fleet, during WWII. After his discharge, he attended Miami University of Ohio, graduating in 1951. Following graduation he was employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and the Kroger Company.

In 1962 Carl was called to the ministry and entered the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

During his time in seminary, he served internships as an assistant chaplain at the Ohio State Penitentiary, the Ben Franklin TB Hospital and Sunridge Convalescent Center. Following graduation in 1967, he accepted his first parish call from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bryan, Ohio. While serving as pastor, he helped to grow the congregation and oversaw the funding and construction on a new church building. In 1974 he accepted a call to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan. At Emmanuel he served a large congregation in an urban environment that called upon him to establish outreach programs for people in need including a soup kitchen, clothes closet and a food pantry which continues to serve today.

Pastor Leach also served on the Board of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan and was involved in capital campaigns to raise funds for the physical improvements of Evangelical Lutheran Church Colleges.

In 1992 he retired from Emmanuel Lutheran Church and returned with Charmaine to her hometown of Saint Marys, Ohio. Although officially retired with the intention to enjoy his family and favorite pastimes of fishing, golfing and playing tennis, he could not resist responding to the Bishop’s call and for the next ten years served six parishes in western Ohio as their interim pastor including St. Johns, Hopewell; Zion, Lima; Trinity, Moulton; Trinity, Elida; St. Paul, Coldwater and Peace, Lima.

Carl is survived by his son Russell and daughter-in-law, Anna (Guy) Leach of Medina, Ohio; by two grandchildren: Caitlin Leach of Guyaquil, Ecuador; Andrea Leach of Medina; a brother, Dale Leach of Salem, Ohio; by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Charmaine; by two sons, Brian and Bruce Leach; by three brothers: Rolland, Charles and Donald Leach; by a sister, Dorothy Andrei.

Funeral rites will be held 4:00 P.M. Sunday, May 22, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church, 210 North Wayne Street, Saint Marys, Ohio, Assistant Bishop Reverend Cathy Schibler, celebrant; con-celebrating clergy will include Reverend Colleen Kamke, Reverend Steven Reshan, and Reverend Doug Gunkelman. Private family burial rites will be held at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Saint Marys.
Friends may call from 4-7 P.M. Saturday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys and one hour prior the funeral rites on Sunday at the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43209 of the Alzheimer’s Association, 1815 West Market Street, Suite 301, Akron, Ohio, 44313.