Leonard Theodore Shell, of Niles

Published 8:56 am Tuesday, July 23, 2019

July 31, 1926 — July 20, 2019

Leonard Theodore Shell, 92, of Niles, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Leonard was born on July 31, 1926, to the late Raymond and Theodosia (Matuzewski) Shell in Lombard, Illinois.

During his senior year of high school in Buchanan, Leonard was drafted in to the U.S. Army. While there, he finished his diploma through correspondence courses while serving in the 1st Cavalry Division during the U.S. occupation of Japan.

On April 19, 1952, he wed the love of his life, Dora Leiter, at a ceremony in Buchanan. Together they raised three wonderful children. Leonard began working at AEP/Indiana-Michigan Power in the garage. He later went on to become a lineman, meter reader and meterman with large power supplies, and in 1986, at the age of 60, he retired.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clifford Shell.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dora; children, Richard (Deborah) Shell, of East Providence, Rhode Island, Christine “Chris” (Steven) Sukta, of Jackson, Michigan, Terry (James) Webber, of Otsego, Michigan; grandchildren, Tim (Josie) Sukta, of Jackson, Matt (Kim) Sukta, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Emily (Adam) Beard, of Jackson, Sam Sukta, of Jackson, James (Emily Bushouse) Webber, of Tucson, Arizona, Reid (Katie Jones) Webber, of Kalamazoo, Grant Webber, of Kalamazoo and Celeste (Chris Howe) Webber, of Detroit; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Zoey, Alina, and Evan; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, with funeral services beginning at 2 p.m.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.