Donald Leesburg

Donald Leesburg, 86, of Wheelersburg, passed away on April 5, 2011 after a long illness. Born September 13, 1924 in Wheelersburg, he was a son of the late William and Pearl Adams Leesburg, was a graduate of East High School in Sciotoville and retired in 1988 from Norfolk and Southern Railroad with 35 years of service. Don was a Scioto County deputy for Sheriff Burl Justice and Sheriff Russ Burns, was a member of Western Sun Masonic Lodge, Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite, was a Shriner and had attended Union Free Will Baptist Church. A Navy veteran of World War II, he served on the U.S.S. Trenton in the Pacific. When Don was a senior at East High School, the United States had just entered the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In February, a Navy recruiter came to East and met with all of the senior boys. He told them they would all be drafted when they graduated in a few months. He also told them the Navy needed men now and would accept any volunteers. Don, and two others, volunteered to go then. Within two weeks, they were at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. When Don’s class graduated from East in June, there was an American flag draped in his empty seat while he was in the Pacific. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Betty Fankell Leesburg, a son, Michael (Karen) Leesburg of Wheelersburg; a daughter, Beverly (Michael) Cook of Wheelersburg; five grandchildren, Micah (Traci Tackett) Cook, Miles (Lindsey) Cook, Lynnsay (Kyle) Hickman, Michael Leesburg, Jr., and Katelyn Leesburg; and three great-grandchildren Taylor Cook, Miles Cook II and Marlowe Hickman. Survivors also include three brothers, William (Doris) Leesburg of Puyallup, WA, Charles (Lavonda) Leesburg and Glen (Juanita) Leesburg, all of Wheelersburg. Also preceding him in death was a brother, Albert Leesburg. A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville with Bro. Ken Walker officiating. Interment will be in Vernon Cemetery with military honors by the James Dickey Post of the American Legion. The family will receive friends at Brant’s in Sciotoville from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Don enjoyed fishing and spent several winters in Florida shark fishing. He also enjoyed the many ball games of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that they were involved in. Don will be sadly missed by all of his family and many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross.

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