Mervin Earl Leonard (1924 - 2016)

Born 8 Aug 1924 in Weippe, Idaho, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Aline Louise (Dirrim) Leonard — married 13 Apr 1946 in Lewiston, Nez Perce, Idaho, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jill Leonard [send private message]

Biography

son of Fred Merven and Cora Inez (Centers) Leonard

in 1942, Mike was drafted into the U.S. Navy. Following his initial training at Farragut Naval Training Station in Idaho, Mike chose to be a diesel mechanic and was sent to the Navy pier in Chicago for schooling. From there he went to Philadelphia and then New Orleans, where he was assigned to the newly commissioned USS PC-1174, which took part in Operation Dragoon on Aug. 15, 1944, escorting DUKWs to shore.

Besides his wife, Mike was preceded in death by his infant brothers, Wilford and William, and other siblings, Richard "Dick" Leonard, Cora May Cantonwine and Ted Leonard; Ron Ponozzo; and nephews Greg Holben and Rick Leonard.

On April 13, 1946, he married Aline Dirrim for the second time. When they were both 8 years old, Mike's sister Corky, age 10, "married" them. She must have known what she was doing as a matchmaker because the "second" marriage lasted 60 years, until his beloved Aline's passing in October 2006.

Sources

• http://lmtribune.com/obituaries/mervin-earl-mike-leonard/article_8e2c940f-1880-542e-b64a-dec4c10b8ec8.html