Helen Leasure James

Helen Louise Leasure James, age 90 of Kettering, Ohio passed away July 8, 2013.

Born in Wellston, Ohio, the oldest of six children to Ebon Bert and Allie Whetstone Merrill. She graduated from Wellston High School and married William E. Leasure. Together they had four sons, William D. Leasure (Donna), Gary E. Leasure (Rose Mary), Timothy D. Leasure (Julie), all of Kettering, Ohio and Anthony M. Leasure (Becky) of Downers Grove, Illinois. She is survived eight grandchildren, Tammi Meier (Darryl), Gary Leasure, Jr. (Vanessa), Will Leasure (Polly), Steven Leasure (Jaimi), Michelle Dziedzinskyi (Lance), Mathew Leasure (Rachel), Andrew Leasure (Hailee), and Ginny Schultz as well as her ten great grandchildren, Sam Meier, Stephanie Leasure, Joshua Leasure, Maxwell Leasure, Julianne Leasure, Zoe Leasure, Adelaide Leasure, Isaiah Leasure, Amelia Leasure and Elizabeth Leasure. She leaves one sister, Betty Matteson of Wellston, Ohio and one sister-in-law, Edith McGlinchey of Columbus, Ohio and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband William E. Leasure and later in life William James, son William D. Leasure, brother Don Merrill, sisters Dorthy Dunfee, Edna Mitchell and Ruby Vickers.

She worked for several companies in the Dayton, Ohio area including Lazrus, Elder-Beerman, State Mutual Life, American Purolator Courier and in Florida for the Belt Lindsey family as well being a restaurant owner for many years in Enon, Ohio. She was a former Worthy High Priestess with the Dayton White Shrine and a lifetime member of Eastern Star of Jackson, Ohio and First Baptist Church of Wellston, Ohio. Her successes in life were the "love" of her family and friends and she will be remembered for her faith in Jesus Christ and her prayers for those hurting and those in need. She was blessed with the love for her parents and her entire family and will be deeply missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to The First Baptist Church, 106 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wellston, Ohio 45692 or the Hartzell United Methodist Church, 8999 Applewood Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236.

Funeral service for family and friends will be held on July 11, 2013 at the Woodland Cemetery Mausoleum, 118 Woodland Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45409 with viewing hours from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon and services starting at 12:00 P.M. with Rev. Will Leasure, Pastor presiding.