Calling(s)

Friday, August 23, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home - Kendallville Chapel

Service

Friday, August 23, 12:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home - Kendallville Chapel

Obituary

Walter John Leighton 81, of Kendallville died Monday, August 19, 2019, at his residence.

He was born March 22, 1938, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Alvin John and Lillian (Graves) Leighton.

He honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1958.

On July 1, 1983, he married Carolyn Stevens. She preceded him in death on March 14, 2010.

Mr. Leighton retired as a mail carrier at the Ligonier Post Office. He then worked as a security guard for McCray Memorial Hospital in Kendallville for many years.

He was a member of the Gospel Lighthouse in Kendallville.

Walter was a handyman who could fix or repair anything. He also enjoyed building model ships.

Surviving are four sons, Timothy John (Elaine) Leighton of Middlebury, Jesse Messer of Albion, Tim Messer of Kendallville, and Chris Messer of Kendallville; two daughters, Jennifer (Tom) Nicodemus of Albion and Robin (Edward Edsall) Takett of Wawaka; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, David Leighton of Massachusetts and Leslie Leighton of Maine.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Handshoe; two sisters, Mary Bennett and Katie Whitehawk; and a brother, Alvin Leighton.

Funeral services will be Friday, August 23, 2019, at 12 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville with Pastors Zaundra and Carter Hicks officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Pallbearers are Tim Leighton, Chris Messer, Ed Edsall, Tim Messer, Brandon Bentley, and Bob Kerns.

Honor guard services will be provided by the Veterans Honor Guard and members of the U.S. Navy.

Calling is Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Noble County Humane Shelter.

Share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhnome.com