Leonard W. Elder, Sr.

Leonard Elder, 74, of South Bend, IN passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.  Leonard was born on February 6, 1942 in Chicago, IL to the late George W. and Camilla E. (Jones) Elder.  In April, 1964, he married Sandra Taylor Elder, who preceded him in death in 1985.  On June 24, 2001 in South Bend, he married Phyllis "Gail" (Ryans) Elder, who survives.

Leonard is also survived by children, Leonard W. Elder, Jr. of South Bend, Tami Matheny of Vero Beach, FL, Tony Oldham of Denver, CO, Camilla Lovell of Denver, Andrea Oldham of Denver, Reese Horn of Denver, April Bieze of Phoenix, AZ, Linda Gail Coldwell of Goshen, IN, Tammy Majar of Goshen, James Dillon of South Bend and Tommy Dillon of South Bend; twenty grandchildren, and multiple great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Loretta Locke of Ft. Myers, FL.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Gavros. 

Leonard retired in 2009 after 18 years of service as a truck driver for Teamsters Local #364.  He was a member of Southlawn United Methodist Church, the American Legion #284 and the Army/Navy (Sons of the Legion) #164.  Leonard enjoyed music and dancing and loved doing things outdoors, such as fishing, going on picnics, etc.

Funeral services for Leonard will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2016  at 3:00 p.m. at Palmer Funeral Home - Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN.  Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Contributions in memory of Leonard may be made to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545. 

Online condolences may be left for the Elder family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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