June 8th, 1935 – November 5th, 2024
Passed peacefully with his wife by his side at Listowel Memorial Hospital on November 5th, 2024, in his 90th year.
Beloved husband to Rita (Graf) Deitner for 66 years.
Loving father of Brian & Candace Deitner (Brussels), Cathy & Jean-Marc Beneteau (Belle River, ON), and Kevin & Alicia Deitner (Brussels)
Cherished grandfather of Kiley & Jonas Whytock, Trista & Devon MacDonald, Julie Beneteau, Paul & Amy Beneteau, Marc Beneteau, Tyler & Jessica Deitner, Morgan & Remi Zoccolante, and Tiffany & Bryce Fletcher.
Proud great-grandfather of 13 great-grandchildren.
Survived by sisters Marie Blake, Nora Kraemer, in-laws Sr. Madeleine Graf, and Irene & Joe Sergi.
Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his parents James & Cecelia Deitner, father and mother in-law Alex & Clara Graf, son Alan Francis Deitner in infancy, sister Margaret and brother in-law Louis Phelan, sister Kathleen and brother in-law John McFadden, brother in-laws George Blake and Bob Kraemer, sister in laws Sr. Margaret Graf, Sr. Barbara Graf, Mary Taziar and brother in laws Joe Taziar and Willie Graf.
Leo was born and raised on the home farm on the 6th of Grey Township. The only son of five children. He attended SS #3 until the age of 14 where he then began farming until his mid 80’s. He married the love of his life and farming companion on September 6th, 1958 and then they raised their family through hard work and determination. He spent his later retirement years immersing himself into the lost art of hand woodworking. Carving and whittling for hours on end, creating over 300 finished pieces of tool handles and other projects. He will always be remembered for his love of Allis Chalmers tractors and his fond companionship of dogs. Dad, the chores are done, walk tall.
Friends and family were invited for visitation at Riverside Funeral Home (Brussels Chapel) on Friday, November 8th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm with prayers at 1:30 pm.
Funeral Mass took place at St. Ambrose RC Church on Saturday, November 9th at 11 am.
Father Tom Donohue officiated.
Interment was in St. Ambrose Catholic Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Listowel Memorial Hospital (palliative care) or St. Ambrose Cemetery Board.
Donation cheques may be sent to Box 340 Brussels N0G 1H0
Condolences may be left at riversidefunerlahome.ca
