Kenneth H. Leatherman

Kenneth “Kent” H. Leatherman, age 102, of Woodstock, IL, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Hearthstone Manor on Friday, August 25, 2017. He was born November 12, 1914, in Cedar Rapids, IA, to Robert and Helen (Lichtenstein) Leatherman. Kenneth graduated in 1933 from Davenport (IA) High School, in 1938 from Wessington Springs Junior College (SD), and in 1946 from Seattle Pacific College (WA). On June 5, 1939, he married the love of his life, Iona B. Gillette, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Kent and Iona enjoyed 66 years together until her death, June 7, 2005. They were both lifelong members of the Free Methodist Church, and as partners they pastored seven churches in the Dakotas and Wisconsin for 24 years, followed by serving as houseparents for five years at Yellowstone Boys Ranch (MT) and Woodstock Children’s Home (IL). Kent then worked for ten years as a social worker for the Illinois Department of Mental Health in Elgin before retiring in 1983. Joyfully following the way of Jesus, he loved God and "his neighbor" without discrimination, “walked humbly on the earth,“ and blessed the lives of countless people. He was a tireless advocate for people in need and shared his own resources generously. In the 1980s Kent and Iona sponsored several Laotian refugee families, happily sharing their home, time and energies, and coming to dearly love and be loved by them all.

Kent worked hard but, together with Iona, enjoyed many simple pleasures, which included playing table games, walking and camping, hosting holiday and birthday celebrations, reading, singing, bird-watching, gardening, traveling, and wholeheartedly sharing and participating in the lives and activities of his beloved family. He was a fun, winsome, gentle man with a sparkle in his eye, and was beloved by all who knew him.

Kenneth Herman Leatherman is survived by his children: Jay (Wendy) Leatherman of Woodstock, IL; Cheryl (Wilbur “Butch”) Austin of Lancaster, WI; Alden (Marietta) Leatherman of Portland, MI; Craig (Beth) Scandrett-Leatherman of St. Louis, MO; eleven grandchildren: Neal (Denise), Renee (Scott), Janelle (Randy), Andrew (Courtney), Joel (Jenny), Jedd, Molly (Michael), Emma, Abby, Luke (Chelsea), and Cara (Andrew); eleven great-grandchildren: Sierra, Nolan, Blake, Glinden, Skylar, Sophia, Willow, Audrey, Raina, Liam, and Adalyn; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; two grandchildren: Jennifer and Jonathan; three sisters: Mildred Davis, Gertrude Kenney, and Margaret Mack; two brothers: Lester and Robert; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

A celebration of Kenneth’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m.,Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Woodstock Free Methodist Church, 934 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL. Pastor Randy Waller will officiate, with Pastor David Cooper assisting. Interment will be private.

Fresh or dried homegrown or wild grasses and flowers would be welcome. Memorials received will go to Free Methodist International Child Care Ministries Haiti Fund.