Individual Details

Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, Illinois, Sunday, February 1, 2009, Page 1: Sparta - Edward D. Leming, 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. Ed was born July 19, 1926, in Sparta to Walter Christopher and Beulah Beatrice (Biby) Leming. He was the youngest of six children. He attended Sparta schools and graduated from Sparta Township High School. He married Portia Mae Lindsey on May 26, 1949. Early in their marriage, after driving trucks for Burns, Ed served in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonardwood, where he learned his carpentry trade. He received an honorable discharge. Ed and Portia adopted three children, Nancy Hope (Bob) Reid of Colstrip, Mont., Roberta Ann (Paul) Kipp of Steeleville and John Biby Leming of San Diego, Calif. In addition to his children, he is survived by his sister, Alice Elizabeth "Betty" Leming of Sparta; grandchildren, Christopher Robert (Dawna) Reid of Milwaukee, Ore., Lindsay Reid (Duane) Reilly of Houma, La., Nicholas Allen (Bess) Reid of Frenchtown, Mont., Rachel Nicole Deutschmann of Sparta, Bethany Mae Deutschmann of Sparta, Adam Lee Diercks of Chester, Ashlee Danielle Leming of Sesser, Ryan Paul Kipp of Steeleville, Ashley Suzanne Kipp of Steeleville and Brittany Ann Kipp of Rockwood; one great-granddaughter, Alexis Reid of Milwaukee, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Ed in death were his loving wife, Portia; his parents; siblings, Beatrice Hope Leming of Sparta, Walter Christopher "Chris" Leming of Shelbyville, Edith Hesse of Belleville and Wilbert "Bert" Leming of Davenport, Iowa; and his dear friend, co-worker and companion, Don Hill. Ed enjoyed the trade of carpentry and made it his life's occupation. He formed L & M Construction and was a successful and respected contractor. Besides enjoying his chosen trade, Ed had a lifelong fascination with and love of aviation. He was a long-term member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and was instrumental in forming Local EAA Chapter 553, of which both he and Portia were charter members. The last few years, Ed had enjoyed working in his garage shop with his friends and lifelong neighbor, "Sleep" McConachie. Ed took daily comfort in the final months with his visits with "Sleep." Through the final journey, Ed formed a very special bond with his caregiver, Amy Higgemeier, and it was Amy, and she alone, who could coax a smile from him until the very end. It was because of all the wonderful nurses, but especially Amy, that Ed requests that any and all memorials be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. In accordance to Ed's wishes, only graveside services will be conducted. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta, with the Rev. Scott Henley officiating. Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville is in charge of arrangements. To sign the guest book, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.

Birth	19 Jul 1926	Sparta, Randolph Co., Illinois
Marriage	26 May 1949	Portia Mae Lindsey
Death	30 Jan 2009	Sparta, Randolph Co., Illinois
Alt name		Edward D. Leming
Burial		Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Randolph Co., Illinois

Spouse

Portia Mae Lindsey (1930 - 1980)

Father	Walter Christopher Leming (1890 - 1950)
Mother	Beulah Beatrice Biby (1888 - 1932)
Sibling	Beatrice Hope Leming (1914 - 1979)
Sibling	Walter Christopher Leming Jr. (1917 - 1992)
Sibling	Edyth Lucille Leming (1920 - 1998)
Sibling	Alice Elizabeth"Betty" Leming (1922 - 2014)
Sibling	William Elbert Leming (1923 - 1995)