Calvin Leader

Calvin Edwin Leader, 93, of Findlay passed away Saturday, August 21, 2021. Calvin was born in a house on a dirt road in Hancock County and raised in a loving family with high standards. As a teenager Calvin gave his life to Christ. According to his retellings, when he met with a nearly fatal car accident in his twenties, he again recommitted his life to Christ. Though the accident left him with life-long pain, he expressed thanks for the path that followed: a lifetime of service to others.

Calvin received his Bachelors in Education and Masters in Educational Administration at Bowling Green State University. He then received his PHD in Educational Administration through The Ohio State University. Calvin began his teaching career at Bloomdale Schools and then moved to Tontogany, after a year as Principal, Calvin then became Superintendent and work to develop and consolidate Otsego Local Schools. He then became Superintendent for Gahanna School District, Warren Township High School (Gurnee, Illinois) and then Elyria, Ohio. Calvin then became a professor of Graduate Education at Ashland University At every school, he gladly and proudly attended sports, drama, and other extracurricular activities.

In every community, Calvin served through church and other organizations. With Calvin, neighbors and co-workers soon became friends and even family. His own family of nine siblings, his wife, children and grandchildren all benefited from his advice and involvement in their lives. Faithfully married for 65 years to his beloved wife, Rosie, he set a high standard of love for others to follow. She had nursed him back to health after his accident in their 20s; in their 80s, he nursed her with great dignity and love through years of affliction from Alzheimer’s Disease. Calvin was a member of the St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Findlay and appreciated the fellowship and support he received.

When Calvin was in his 60s, he began memorizing poetry. At Rotary or Lions Clubs or anywhere he could gain an audience, he would share fun and inspirational programs of 15-20 poems at a setting. His repertoire included notables such as The Overworked Elocutionist; The Psalm of Life; Darling, I am Growing Older; and The Cremation of Sam McGee.

Calvin was predeceased by his father, mother, son (Steven), wife, and two brothers (Eugene by 20 years and Charles Burleigh Leader, Junior by one day). Calvin is survived by his daughter Carole (Kal) Pelttari, daughter-in-law Sheryl Leader, grandchildren: Stephanie (Craig) Vermeer, Matthew (Emily) Leader, Erik (Özlem) Pelttari, Aaron (Natalia) Pelttari and Daniel (Erika) Leader and 7 great-grandchildren and seven sisters.

Visitation for Calvin will be on Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 10:30AM-12:30 PM in the Hanneman Funeral Home, 370 Park Dr S., McComb, Ohio 45858. Calvin’s Celebration of Life will begin at 1:00 PM in the funeral home. The family requests that all attendees wear masks.  Interment will follow in the McComb Union Cemetery. Calvin’s Celebration of Life Service will be livestreamed on the Hanneman Funeral Home Findlay & McComb Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be gifted in Calvin’s honor to Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871 or Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio, 1800 N. Blanchard St., Suite 128, Findlay, Ohio 45840.

Online condolences, as well as a fond memory may be shared with Calvin’s family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com

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