Charles “Chuck” Otis Leachman Sr., age 86, of Traverse City, was called Home on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Some may remember Chuck as a long time Parish Member and Usher at St. Francis Church while others as a friend and coworker at Sara Lee Bakery and still others as co-owner with his wife Liz, of West Wind Resort on Lake Leelanau in Northern Michigan. He and Liz dreamed of moving to the Traverse City area and opening their own business after camping trips to the area with their children.
Chuck recently reminisced with his children and grandchildren that God was the one who led him and his wife to the 10 cabin resort that was to become the family home. Over the years of hard work, faith and dedication, Chuck remembers the many people and families God sent to he and his wife who needed a safe and warm place to live while they were experiencing tough circumstances in their lives. He and Liz believed that the resort was a gift from God to be used for His purposes.
Over the years of blessings and challenges Chuck developed an attitude of thankfulness to God that was expressed through his generosity to others. Always interested in hearing other peoples stories he often gave the gift of his presence and a listening ear to his friends and family.
His attitude of Faith, Family, and Hard Work is the beautiful legacy he leaves behind to family and friends who will miss him but will rejoice that he is reunited with his loving wife, son, and Heavenly Father.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Leachman; son, John Alvin Leachman; parents: William & Margaret (Johnson) Leachman; and brother, William “Bill” Leachman. He is survived by his children: Shelly (Jeff) Grant, Charles “Chuck” (Jeanine) Leachman Jr., Michael Leachman (Gonzalo Mejia), Denise Krueger; grandchildren: Alvin (Dakota), Renee, Wyatt, Elena, River, John, Christian, Marie, Laura, Thomas, Kyle; great-grandchildren: Lyla, Levi; and many nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024 at St. Francis Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union Street, Traverse City. Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, also at St. Francis Catholic Church. Family will welcome visitors an hour prior to Mass on Saturday. Burial will take place in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Suttons Bay.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube. com/@saintfrancistraversecity4697/ streams.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Food for the Poor (https://foodforthepoor.org/) or Unbound (https://www.unbound.org/). To leave a message for the family, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
