Eleanor Jean "Ellie" Leatherman

Eleanor Jean “Ellie” Leatherman

90, of Lima, recently of Knoxville, TN, passed on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 1:53 AM at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.

She was born on July 24, 1927 in Allentown, OH to the late Howard and Elizabeth {Williams} Reese. On March 4, 1949 she married her beloved husband Joe Warren Leatherman, who preceded her in death on December 7, 2017.

Ellie worked as an office manager and a personal secretary for Stanley Tam at United States Plastics Corp for 25+ years and then began work at Tom Ahl Family Dealerships as a secretary, retiring when she was 88. She and Joe enjoyed spending their winters in Florida, where she could enjoy the beach and sun tanning. She loved the Florida palm trees and collected everything with palm trees, bringing the peaceful beach feeling to her Ohio home. Ellie was very passionate about her religion and truly loved her church and neighbors. In her 90 years, she read the Bible from cover to cover at least 10 times. She had a beautiful heart and soul and was loved by so many. Her concern and care for others was beyond exceptional.

Ellie is survived by her daughter Tina Kirkland, grandchildren Jason (Sandy) Ayers, Brian Ayers, and Joshua Ayers, and numerous great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband Joe, she was preceded in death by her daughter Debra Delucia, grandson Bradley Joseph Kirkland, siblings Howard Reese Jr., Cloyd Reese, Marie Miller, Melba Smith, and Marjorie Vierling.

Her family will receive friends on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 5:30-8 PM at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima. Funeral services will begin at 2 PM at Bluelick Bible Church, Lima on Friday, July 6, 2018. Pastor Jim Neighbors will officiate. She will be peacefully laid to rest at Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bluelick Bible Church, 1138 Bluelick Rd. Lima, OH 45801.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.