John Howarth Leslie

JOHN HOWARTH LESLIE
10-09-1941 -- 10-09-2019

John Leslie was a beloved son, husband, father and grandfather.

John was born in Gloversville, New York to Kathryn Jean Howarth Leslie and Harold Harrison Leslie.

He was a 1959 graduate of Broadalbin High School.  He then entered the US Air Force in 1960 serving in the 305th bomb wing at Bunker Hill AFB until discharge in 1968.  After working a short time for Hoosier Telecable in Wabash, he joined Westinghouse Field Engineering division where he worked at several military installations, including 26 years at the Naval Research Lab in Port Hueneme, California, for Northrup Grumman until retirement in 2004. He also ran his own electrician business for many years. He was a 50-year member of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Indiana, Peru-Miami Lodge No. 67.  He attended the Peru Church of the Brethren. John enjoyed scuba diving and sailing, traveling, and always had a good book close by.

In 1964 he married Margaret Ann Duncan and together they had two daughters, Kathryn and Karen. They later divorced and John then married Nancy Jane McGinley Beitscher and became stepfather to her grown children, Steve and Debbie.  Jane passed away, and in 2011, John remarried Margaret. 

John was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Jane.  He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his daughters, Kathryn Kehler (husband Mike Kehler), Karen Drust (husband Paul Drust), and stepson, Steve Beitscher (wife Julie Beitscher).  He is also survived by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Ariel Hostetler and her husband Kevin, and their children, Michael, Deacon and Delsey; Ashliegh Oldfather and her husband Brett, and their son, Beckett; Duncan and Michael Drust; Bailey Nelson and her husband Ryan, and their children Roxy, Max and Cameron; and Beau Beitscher.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Visitation will be held from 2pm – 4pm on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana.  A Masonic service will be held at 4pm.  Graveside funeral service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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