S. Leonard Watts age 96 of Leesburg, Ohio died Sunday afternoon, June 25, 2006 at the Heartland of Hillsboro. He was born September 3, 1909 in Madison County, Ohio the son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Tobin) Watts. Mr. Watts had retired after thirty-one years of service with the U. S. Department of Agriculture. He was a member of the Leesburg United Methodist Church, a 69 year member of the New Holland Lodge 392 F & AM, Eastern Star, Leesburg Lions Club, a 1928 graduate of Monroe High School and had played the saxophone in the Highland County Senior Citizens Sunshine Band and the Fayette County Community Band. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Edna (Ronemus) Watts on May 12, 1999. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Sara Watts of Greenfield, two grandsons, John and his wife Jamie Watts of Pickerington, Donald and his wife Ruth Watts of Florence, South Carolina, five great grandchildren, Robby, Morgan, Katherine, Mary and Sara Watts, one nephew, Thor Ronemus of Springfield and one niece, DeAnn and her husband Jim Leierzaph of Carey, North Carolina. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 29th at the Leesburg United Methodist Church. Pastor Max Jackson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Range Township Cemetery in Sedalia, Ohio. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Leesburg United Methodist Church. Masonic services will be held at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Church. The body will lie-in-state one hour prior to services on Thursday at the Leesburg United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leesburg United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 333, Leesburg, Ohio 45135 or to the Highland County Senior Citizens, 185 Muntz Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. The Turner Funeral Home is serving the family.
1385 Rosemoor Rd. Jamestown, Ohio 45335
-------------------------------------------------------------- First of all David, I want to say how sorry I am not to be able to attend services for your Dad. I'm having severe problems with severe sciatic nerve pain right now. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you today and tomorrow and for the difficult time to come.
David, you and Sarah have taken good care of your Dad in the last several years and you are to be commended. May that knowledge be a comfort you
Leonard meant a lot to our family over the years. Our boys worked at the SWCD office for a few summers and your Dad patienly taught them the "ropes" of a topo survey, and how to endure the hot sun and the bugs. Kevan, Phillip and Brenda helped he an your Mom a few times at the house, sorting and putting away many of the things "upstairs". The boys got first hand experience with planting tree seedlings. He also encouraged Brenda with her piano and helped to increase her confidence by inviting her to play at his "musicales" years ago. They all enjoyed their time with your folks.
I credit your Dad and Mom with planting the seeds of the "Conservation Education Program in the WCH schools and with the Conservation Section of the Miami Trace District Science. This work was accopmlished thru the Fayette SWCD Boards of Supervisors and others including many teachers in both WCH and the Miami Trace Districts. Their input and enthusiam, beginning at our beloved Cherry Hill School, where you Mom was Principal, was an invaluable to the School Conservation Program.
His music, his enthusiam, his love of community, and postive outlook will be missed. He lived a good long life and as his favorite song says, "He Did It His Way".
And we are happy for that.
Love to you all. Gail & Barbara Garringer