April 27, 1925 - Dec. 27, 2012
ELKHART - Gerald W. Leighton, 87, of Elkhart, went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:40 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at Hubbard Hill Estates.
He was born April 27, 1925, in Clarkston, Mich., to the late Ralph and Ecka (Bird) Leighton.
On April 19, 1984, in Elkhart, he married Sandra L. Scott.
She survives along with one daughter, Sherry (Jeff) DeCicco of Pittsburgh, Pa.; three stepchildren, Theresa (Mark) Wright of Amity, Pa., Tom (Linda) Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Rhonda Machado of St. Petersburg, Fla. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Locke of Anna Marie Island, Fla., and Carolyn (Newt) Bates of Vineland, N.J.; a special niece, Laura Getter of Elkhart; and a special nephew, Stevie (Lisa) Scott of Waterford, Mich.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gary, who was killed in Vietnam and a stepson, Bill Smith.
Gerald was a veteran of the USMC.
He attended Michigan State University.
He was a member of Northside Baptist Church.
He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. Gerald also was an avid gardener and at one time had 15 horses on his farm in Pennsylvania. He dearly loved his dog, Spike.
Gerald was the owner of Leighton's Bed Liners when he lived in Pennsylvania. He was also a district sales manager for Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors for 15 years and worked for Custom Foam Manufacturing for four years.
Cremation will take place at Elkhart Cremation Services. A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be given to Northside Baptist Church or the Humane Society of Elkhart County.