Wilbert Gene Leonhardt's Obituary
Wilbert Gene Leonhardt (98) of Oxford, FL, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, FL. He was born on August 14, 1927 in O’Keene, OK Alex and Pauline (Hoffman) Leonhardt. He is survived by his former wife, Elizabeth (Dudek) Ashman, his four children: Bill, Jane (Doug Olivero), Karen (Carmen Tirella) and Gail (Gary Maier). He is also survived by nine (9) grandchildren: AnnaLisa Nelson, David Leonhardt, Chad (Leah) Leonhardt, Kayla Peterson, Kyle Peterson, Kody (Brittany) Nelson, Kevin Nelson, Matt (Shannon) Maier, Lindsay Maier; 17 great-grandchildren and one (1) great-great granddaughter; his brother, Lawrence Leonhardt; his sister-in-law Ruth Leslie; step-daughter, Vickie Core Moss Solomon (Freddie), as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Louise (Core) Leonhardt, stepson and his wife Michael & Charlene Core, and his sister-in-law Carol Leonhardt.
Dad was a hard-working man who proudly served in the Navy (Seabee) from 1942-1944. He attended Wm Horlick High School in Racine, graduating after returning from serving in the military. He began his career working at Massey-Harris Co; eventually retired from the Wisconsin Electric Co in Oak Creek, WI as an Overhead Crane Operator. Despite his many responsibilities, he always made time for his family and his passions.
Dad's hobbies and interests helped define who he was. He enjoyed working in his yard and tinkering around in the garage. (The last time he mowed his lawn was December 2023.) He was well-known throughout the years assisting neighbors (shoveling snow, cutting grass, etc.) and taking on jobs at the various churches he attended (Grace Church in Racine and Masonboro Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC).
Our parents went their separate ways after being married 50+ years. Both were blessed with a loving companion after their separation, but after both of their spouses passed, they found their way back to each other and lived out the last 18 months of dad’s life together again. God truly works in mysterious ways!!!
A celebration of dad’s life will be held on Thursday, November 13th - 1:30 pm at Trinity Spring Senior Living Community in Oxford, Florida with Pastor Chuck Tabor officiating. Entombment will follow at a later date.
Shortly before dad’s passing, we heard him pray for his children and grandchildren that all would join him one day in Heaven, leaving not one of them behind. Rev 21:4 “He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.”
In honor of our father, donations may be sent to https://www.trinitysprings.org/donate/; https://samaritanspurse.org/ or a charitable contribution to an organization you value
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