Don Leach

Don “Cork” L. Leach, age 94, of Wyoming, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2020. Don was born in Montrose, Michigan, the youngest of ten children to William and Hannah Mae (Clements) Leach. He attended Montrose High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball and graduated as salutatorian in 1944. After graduation he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was deployed in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the balance of World War II. Don was attached to the Second Marine Division in Saipan and was attached to command working for the Sergeant Major. He saw battles in Okinawa and several other islands in the South Pacific, including support at Iwo Jima. Don ended his service time in the occupational forces in Japan and was stationed in Nagasaki. Upon his return to the United States, he took up residence in Montrose, Michigan and found the love of his life, Marjorie Bennetts, whom he married and shared the next 64 years together. Don’s interest in accounting led him to a long satisfying career with the Michigan Department of Treasury. He began as an auditor, then crew chief, and ended his career as the Regional Administrator overseeing offices in Western Michigan and Chicago. Don also served as counsel to the State Treasurer and assisted in writing tax law. Marge and Don were founding members of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Wyoming, Michigan, where Don served on the Vestry and as church treasurer for several terms. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marge. He is survived by his children: Bevan Leach and Pamela Wheaton; grandchildren: Sarah (Nate) Vlietstra, Elizabeth (Jimmy) Bayne, Rosalyn (James) Silvester, Logan (Brian) Nolan, and William (Kristi) Leach; five great grandchildren: Hendrik and Wesley Vliestra, William and Faelynn Silvester, and Dylan Nolan. A memorial service will be held at a later date.