Clarence N. Leichty

Clarence Nicholas Leichty, 89, died Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Greencroft Gables in Goshen, Indiana. He was born June 8, 1922 at Albany, Oregon, to Nicholas and Magdalena (Maurer) Leichty. He married Wilma Ewert on August 23, 1949 at Reedley, California, and she survives in Goshen. Also surviving are three children and their spouses, Paul and Twila Leichty of Goshen, Bruce and Kathy Leichty of Escondido, California, and Cheryl and Ron Blaum of Goshen, and five grandchildren (with spouses noted if any), Nathan Leichty of Middlebury, Renita and Matthew Marjan of Lombard, Illinois, Julian Leichty of Taipei, Taiwan, John Leichty of Pasadena, California, and Timothy Blaum of Goshen. He is also survived by four sisters and a brother, Esther Kropf of Wickenberg, Arizona; Alice Sawatsky of Cedar, Minnesota; Edna and Daniel Widmer of Albany, Oregon; Wilma and Gene Kanagy of Albany; and Wilmer and Mary Leichty of Albany. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Daniel and Jacob (whose spouse Norma Jean survives), and one sister, Ruth Roth. Clarence grew up on a farm in the Willamette Valley near Albany, Oregon. After settling in Elkhart, Indiana, Clarence for many years retained an interest in the family farm, where he was affectionately called CN by a large extended family. He and his family traveled from Indiana many summers to help his brothers with the ryegrass seed harvest. His first non-farm employment was as a teacher in the Oregon towns of Sweet Home and Foster, after he received his teaching diploma from Oregon College of Education. During World War II, he performed alternative service at Civilian Public Service camps in California, Oregon and Nebraska, meeting his future wife Wilma during the latter assignment. He and Wilma then completed bachelor's degrees at Goshen College, where he graduated with a B.S. and B.A. in Education in 1949. After his graduation, Clarence taught at Willowdale School in Elkhartbefore completing his master's degree at Indiana University in 1954. He was an elementary school administrator until retirement, serving as principal at Willowdale, Ulery, Roosevelt, Pinewood and Hawthorne schools in Elkhart. His experiences relating to the community at Roosevelt School led him to pursue further education in curriculum development at Wayne State University, Detroit, where he earned an Ed.Sp. Certificate in 1971. After retiring from Elkhart Community Schools in 1987, he served as chief administrator at Penn View Christian School, Souderton, Pennsylvania for one year (1990-91). He was a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, National Education Association and a Life Member of the Parent Teachers Association. Clarence remained a lifelong member of the Mennonite church after being baptized as a youth at Fairview Mennonite Church near the family farm. In Elkhart he was a long-time member of Prairie Street Mennonite Church, serving as a teacher, Sunday school superintendent, elder and church secretary. After he and Wilma retired in Goshen, he became a member at College Mennonite Church. He served in various volunteer roles during his later years, including as president of Elkhart Community Day Care Center, and as an advocate for children with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). He also was employed at Oaklawn Center and Greencroft Retirement Communities, as a driver for a number of years. He enjoyed collecting stamps and coins, refinishing antiques and creating small woodworking projects. Funeral arrangements are through Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Calling hours will be at College Mennonite Church on Saturday, March 3 from 2-4 p.m. and also 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at College Mennonite Church at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2012. Memorial gifts may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) or Congregational Accessibility Network (CAN).