Life Story / Obituary
TEDDER, MR.
LEONARD W.
Muskegon
Leonard was a gentle man from Missouri pronounced mis-sur- ra. Born September 4 1920 to Jesse Tedder and Blanche Martin, Leonard was the oldest of four children, Lester, Doris, and Wayne. They learned about responsibility at a young age when their mother died suddenly.
Leonard married Loretta Carpenter before joining the US Army in WWII, France. They had twin daughters, Carol Ann and Mary Lou. Home from the war Leonard worked for McDonald Douglas in Buffalo New York. After a divorce Leonard came to Muskegon to work for Brunswick Corp., in the Defense Division.
He married Mable F. Cash Jones in 1960. Together for forty-two years they raised and nurtured Bob Jones and his children, Rob, Ron and Jennifer; Darma Jones Canter and her children Vincent, Orville and Eleanor; and Janda Jones Grove.
Leonard was never late, the gas tank was never less than a quarter full, the bills were paid before their due date, and his dollars were lined up face forward in descending order in his billfold. He never raised his voice and the worst thing I ever heard him call someone was a cotton-picker.'' I used to find those qualities so annoying. Now I see that he created a world that was safe, orderly, dependable. That has been a pretty good world to live in.
He was very invested in our family business, Mike's Bread. We had a motto; When the going gets tough, the tough call Leonard. We all depended on his calm demeanor and quiet leadership.
I knew he was getting better when he was asked for his watch in the hospital. I was sure he'd have things running smoothly there in no time. He died with
his watch on, and that is strangely comforting.
Leonard leaves behind the above-mentioned children, as well as his 3 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren by his daughter Mary Lou Weber; and by his 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren by his daughter Carol Ann Gleason, and his great granddaughters Helen and Vivian Canter.
We don't know what to do without him.
SERVICE
Saturday, February 28, 2004, 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Dennis Lassanske officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.
VISITATION
Saturday, one hour prior to the service at Trinity Lutheran Church. MEMORIAL: Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Clock - Muskegon