Warren D. Leichty, 71, Goshen, died Monday at 9:57 p.m. at Rivercrest Specialty Hospital, Mishawaka, where he had been a patient since Jan. 18.
He was born March 4, 1938 in Belle Fontaine, Logan County, Ohio, to David Franklin and Helen Dorothy (Yoder) Leichty. He came to this area from West Liberty, Ohio, in 1955 and graduated in 1957 from Bethany Christian High School, Goshen.
He began his employment with Fidler’s Ready-Mix Inc. in Goshen in 1962, and retired in 1998 as vice president of operations after 36 years of service to the company.
Warren was a true outdoorsman who especially enjoyed freshwater fishing at so many different sites across the United States and Canada. His favorite destinations were fishing trips to Colorado and Upper Ontario, Canada. Anyone, even the most-accomplished wilderness traveler, would learn so many subtleties of wilderness ethics and woodland lore on expeditions with Warren into the back country. He was always willing to share from his broad knowledge of fishing, hunting and wilderness survival with those less experienced, and he did so with a remarkably generous and humble manner.
Warren was an accomplished craftsman, dedicating his many acquired skills to every endeavor. He received great reward and satisfaction from helping others. Warren was always one who could be depended upon at any time of need by his family and many friends. He was very warm and loving in all his relationships with friends and family and was an especially caring and loving father and grandfather.
He is survived by his two daughters, Monica (Tim) Miller, Goshen, and Michelle Griffin, Dallas, Ga.; two grandsons, Joey Miller and Jackson Miller; three sisters, Genevieve (Earl) Swartzentruber, Goshen, Delia (Ed) Herr, Goshen, and Evelyn (Michael) Hostetler, San Diego, Calif.; and his very special companion and friend, Myrna Beachy, Goshen.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Samuel B. Leichty and David F. Leichty Jr.; and a sister, Katherine Lou Mullet.
Friends may call Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. The Rev. John von Lackum will conduct the service.
Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.
Memorials may be made to the Elkhart County Humane Shelter or Rivercrest Specialty Hospital.
Condolences may be left for the family at yoderculpfuneralhome.com.
