1927
Wilma
2019
Wilma Leatherman
May 25, 1927 — August 9, 2019
EUREKA - Wilma Leatherman, 92, died peacefully at 11:49 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 at Advocate Hospital in Eureka.
She was born May 25, 1927 in rural Lower Salem, Ohio, the youngest of eight children raised by Carl and Wilhelmina Hallett. She married Jack C. Leatherman on June 6, 1950, and they pastored six Nazarene churches in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois before retiring to Eureka in 1992. He died December 15, 1993.
Survivors include three sons: Lyndell (Barbie) Leatherman, Kansas City, MO; David (Trena) Leatherman, Rocky Face, GA; Phillip (Beth) Leatherman, Eureka; one daughter: Mary Beth Leatherman, Eureka; 12 grandchildren: Christina (Phil) Lasswell, Erin Leatherman, Michael Leatherman, Melissa (Brian) Hyma, Audrey (Will) Partin, Cynthia (Mike) Lapp, Kristin (Christopher) Gilmore, Bryce Leatherman, Rebekah Hollenberg, Elizabeth (Arminder) Deol, Stephen (Amy) Hollenberg, Deborah Hollenberg; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: John Hallett and Jesse Hallett; and five sisters: Clarice Lee, Pauline Poole, Mary Buchanan, Juanita Davis, and Vera Shuman.
In 1950 Wilma graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from God's Bible School, Cincinnati, OH, where she met J. C. Leatherman. During their 42 years of pastoral ministry she served in a variety of roles: from leading programs for children and youth, to using her expertise in administration and publications, to being an empathetic listener and counselor, to modeling the gift of hospitality in parsonage and church gatherings. In 2015, when she retired as office administrator, she was honored by her church with the Distinguished Service Award. Along the way she played the piano or organ nearly every Sunday for 79 years, starting as a 13-yr-old playing the pump organ in her home church. Other musical activities included directing choirs, bell choirs, and other ensembles, and providing accompaniment for chapel services at The Loft (Maple Lawn) for the last 25 years of her life, up until she fell ill in May.
She was a member of the Eureka Grace Church of the Nazarene, where she served most recently as organist and Sunday School secretary. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. The most important things in her life were her faith, family, and friends. She will be greatly missed, although we are happy that she is now free of pain and in a better place.
A memorial service will be held at the Eureka Grace Church of the Nazarene on Monday, the 12th, at 2:00, with visitation starting at 1:00, and a reception following the service. Rev. Mike Stipp will officiate. Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka is handling arrangements for the family.
Memorials may be made to the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.argoruestmmanharris.com.
1601 South Main Street
Eureka, IL 61530
1601 South Main Street
Eureka, IL 61530
She was born May 25, 1927 in rural Lower Salem, Ohio, the youngest of eight children raised by Carl and Wilhelmina Hallett. She married Jack C. Leatherman on June 6, 1950, and they pastored six Nazarene churches in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois before retiring to Eureka in 1992. He died December 15, 1993.
Survivors include three sons: Lyndell (Barbie) Leatherman, Kansas City, MO; David (Trena) Leatherman, Rocky Face, GA; Phillip (Beth) Leatherman, Eureka; one daughter: Mary Beth Leatherman, Eureka; 12 grandchildren: Christina (Phil) Lasswell, Erin Leatherman, Michael Leatherman, Melissa (Brian) Hyma, Audrey (Will) Partin, Cynthia (Mike) Lapp, Kristin (Christopher) Gilmore, Bryce Leatherman, Rebekah Hollenberg, Elizabeth (Arminder) Deol, Stephen (Amy) Hollenberg, Deborah Hollenberg; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: John Hallett and Jesse Hallett; and five sisters: Clarice Lee, Pauline Poole, Mary Buchanan, Juanita Davis, and Vera Shuman.
In 1950 Wilma graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from God's Bible School, Cincinnati, OH, where she met J. C. Leatherman. During their 42 years of pastoral ministry she served in a variety of roles: from leading programs for children and youth, to using her expertise in administration and publications, to being an empathetic listener and counselor, to modeling the gift of hospitality in parsonage and church gatherings. In 2015, when she retired as office administrator, she was honored by her church with the Distinguished Service Award. Along the way she played the piano or organ nearly every Sunday for 79 years, starting as a 13-yr-old playing the pump organ in her home church. Other musical activities included directing choirs, bell choirs, and other ensembles, and providing accompaniment for chapel services at The Loft (Maple Lawn) for the last 25 years of her life, up until she fell ill in May.
She was a member of the Eureka Grace Church of the Nazarene, where she served most recently as organist and Sunday School secretary. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. The most important things in her life were her faith, family, and friends. She will be greatly missed, although we are happy that she is now free of pain and in a better place.
A memorial service will be held at the Eureka Grace Church of the Nazarene on Monday, the 12th, at 2:00, with visitation starting at 1:00, and a reception following the service. Rev. Mike Stipp will officiate. Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka is handling arrangements for the family.
Memorials may be made to the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.argoruestmmanharris.com.
Visitation
AUG 12. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)
Eureka Grace Church of the Nazarene1601 South Main Street
Eureka, IL 61530
Memorial Service
AUG 12. 2:00 PM (CDT)
Eureka Grace Church of the Nazarene1601 South Main Street
Eureka, IL 61530
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wilma E. Leatherman, please visit our floral store.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Wilma Leatherman, please visit our flower store.
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