James Leo "Chief" Leitschuh, 87, of Litchfield died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be Friday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Litchfield Family Funeral Services. Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 17, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.
Mr. Leitschuh was born in Litchfield on Oct. 11, 1926, the son of the late Otto J. Leitschuh and Lillian (Britton) Leitschuh. He was one of 11 siblings. He married Marilene A. Leitschuh on May 12, 1962, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Litchfield with the Rev. Karl Heuchert officiating. They were married 51 years before she preceded him in death.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1944. He enjoyed running and was a valuable asset to the LHS track team.
Mr. Leitschuh was drafted in February 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater occupying Japan in World War II as clerk typist. His rank was private through Tech 4 in the 11th Airborne Division. He also served in the Illinois National Guard from April 1949 through September 1959, rising to the rank of master sergeant (field first sergeant) in the 130th Infantry.
He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 3912 and a member of American Legion Post 436, both in Litchfield. Within both organizations, he held many offices and volunteered on various committees.
In the 1940s, Mr. Leitschuh used the GI Bill to learn to fly. With his new interest, he flew Stearmans and Piper Cubs, always testing the limits. Upon his return from service, he was employed with Litchfield Creamery, American Radiator Company and later the Litchfield Fire Department, where he found his true passion, purpose and career in the fire service. He dutifully served the citizens of Litchfield for 40 years, with 35 years as their chief.
During his career, the fire department occupied different locations. First, what is now city hall, second, what is now partly the police station and finally the current main station. Mr. Leitschuh was instrumental in shifting the department from a volunteer-based unit to full-time paid employee unit. He advocated the need for a pension for his men and pushed for an ambulance service for the citizens of Litchfield.
He also led the way for the famous Fireman’s Fish Stand offered every year with the carnival. He saw the need for the Fireman’s Club house, which became a place for the firefighters and their families to enjoy Lake Lou Yaeger. His work ethic, tradition and honor inspired two of his children to follow in his footsteps with a career in fire service.
Mr. Leitschuh enjoyed the lake and spent much time there. While driving his boat, he taught every child wearing a life jacket how to water ski. He also constructed an ice boat and sailed it up and down the lake in the dead of winter. His hobbies included his passion for gardening. He grew everything imaginable in large quantities and was known for his tomatoes, which he talked the grandkids into selling at their vegetable stand.
He was also a highly skilled carpenter, which proved very useful in the many rental houses he owned and maintained for years. The Chief enjoyed travel and spent over 20 years driving his family from coast to coast in his RV for vacation adventure destinations.
Mr. Leitschuh is survived by two sons, James Leitschuh of Tucson, AZ, and Alan Leitschuh of Port Charlotte, FL; three daughters, Melody Sauber of Tucson, AZ, Meg (Jim) Wertin of Litchfield and Valerie Leitschuh of North Fort Myers, FL; 17 grandchildren, Melody Larson of Portland, OR, James and Luke Leitschuh of Tucson, AZ, Destiny Leitschuh of Temple, TX, Ben Peters and Sam Sauber of Tucson, AZ, Brandon Leitschuh of Tinley Park, Ryder, Tatum, Logan and Mcall Wertin, all of Litchfield, James and Laney Trammell of North Fort Myers, FL, Katie and Jeff Bentlage of St. Louis and Alex and Jake Rull of Litchfield; five great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Kyrea and Tyler Larson of Portland, OR, and Aaron and Glenn Leitschuh of Temple, TX; and two stepchildren, Mark (Kelly) Bentlage of St. Louis and Laura (Jeff) Rull of Litchfield.
Memorials may be made to the Jim “Chief” Leitschuh Memorial Scholarship.
