Edward LeRoy Leedom, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and Father God on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, at his home.
Ed was born to LeRoy Edward Leedom and Edith Jenkins Leedom on Aug. 21, 1925, in Lenox, Iowa. He left Lenox High School to join the United States Navy and serve his country during World War II, on Sept. 3, 1942. He served in the South Pacific and Panama Canal aboard a “Submarine Chaser” until his discharge on Nov. 7, 1945.
Ed married Verna Dean Meadows on Dec. 31, 1947, and they had three children. He began working at the Maytag Company in Newton, Iowa, in 1946. He served as a union steward and as a member of the U.A.W. Local 997. After 30 years of working at Maytag, he retired in 1976. Ed was re-married Jan. 17, 1964, to Joyce Alvina Horn. Ed was a member of the V.F.W. Newton Post #1655 and the First Baptist Church in Newton, where he served as a deacon and on the stewardship board. Referred to as the “Amen Man,” he was loved by all at the church for his dedication to the church and his love for God.
Ed was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife, Joyce, on July 24, 1994; and five siblings, Leonard, Lucille, Darlene, Donald and Helen Jo. He is survived by his sons, Eddie (Marci) Leedom of Des Moines, Iowa, and Richard Leedom of Montezuma, Iowa; his daughter, Rebecca (Murray) Barge of Monroe, Iowa; his eight grandchildren; his 13 great-grandchildren; and his five great-great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at the First Baptist Church in Newton. Family will greet friends Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be designated to the First Baptist Church or to Hospice of Jasper County and may be left at the church or Pence-Reese Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.pencefh.com.