Leonard Needham

Leonard James Needham, 86, of South Haven, MI passed peacefully away in his sleep November 4, 2016 at Golden Orchards in Fennville, MI. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 12 at the St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven, MI. Leonard was laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven, MI.

Leonard was born November 10, 1929 to Leo and Ethel (Burckart) Needham in Monona. He married Jeanne Burns November 7, 1953 in Cedar Rapids and he served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War.

Leonard raised horses on his gentleman farm. He lived and worked as a carpenter in Wilmot, WI until his retirement in 1998, when he and Jeanne retired to Lansing.  In 2012, they moved to the South Haven community to be close to their children.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Jeanne Needham; his children, Kim (John Chisholm) Needham of Grand Rapids, MI, Renee (Craig) Johnson of Bokeelia, FL and Todd (Kat) Needham of Fennville, MI; and a sister, Deloris Fee of McGregor. He was preceded in death by a son, Lyle Needham; and his siblings, Norbert and Patrick Needham, and Barbara Welzen.

Kindly share thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.FilbrandtFFH.com. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Hospice at Home Caring Circle, 05055 Blue Star Highway, South Haven, MI  49090. The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, MI.