Frank Cherry Leitnaker  

A Kansas Visitor

Mr. Cherry Leitnaker, instructor of commercial law and journalism in the Chanute, Kans, high school, s pent the week end in Culver with his cousins, Ezra Koontz and Maj. Walter Hand. A family reunion was held at the Koontz home Sunday in honor of the visitor - Mar. 21 1923

G. O. Pickes Ticket

Candidates are named for coming Municpal Election

...F. C. Leitnaker for Clerk-Treasurer

...Sep 23 1925

F. C. Leitnaker Leaves For Residence In Kansas

F. C. Leitnaker, who was been associated in the publication of the Citizen for the past three and a half years, left yesterday afternoon with his family to visit relatives in Kansas

The moving to another town bu Mr. Leitnaker is a distant loss to this community as he had established himself as a progressive citizen and had take an active interest in the welfare of this town. - Nov. 24 1926

His absence will be especially flet in musical circles where he had become a leader on account of his gift of a fine tenor voice and his willingness to respond to all calls for his services.

The entire community joins with the Citizen in wishing Mr. Leitnaker the best of success wherever he makes his home and congratulates the town that will have the addition of a live, boosting citizen.

Buys Kansas Newspaper

CHerry Leitnaker,formerc co-editor of the Citizen,ha purchased the Ledger at Baldwin City Kansas, and has moved his family to theat town, whic is the site ofBAker Iniversity.

SInce leavingCulver in 1926, Mr.Leitnaker has been assoicated with an aluminumware company in Dallas,Texas and Atlanta, Kansas and later engaged in insurance business in Independence, Kansas.

Former Citizen Publisher Dies

Frank Cherry Leitnaker. director of Alumni Relations, Baker University, and former co-publisher of The Culver Citizen, passed away June 24., in St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. where he had been undergoing treatment since suffering a heart attack June 6.

He was born in Thurston. Ohio, April 26, 1895. the son of Ellsworth and Fanny Leitnaker. At the age of 6 the family moved to Parson, Kansas, where his father operated a shirt factory.

He served in World War I and on returning from service entered Baker University from which he graduated in 1922.

Following his graduation he was co-publisher of The Culver Citizen for eight years with a college classmate. Miles Robinson.

In 1932 he returned to Baldwin as publisher of The Baldwin Ledger. Selling the newspaper in 1955, he accepted a position as instructor of journalism at Baker. He also acted as director of publicity and in recent years served as director of alumni relations. He was a memberof the Baker University Board of Trustees until 1955

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, a daughter, Dr. Claire Tamblyn of Shawnee Mission: two sons. Dr. James M. Leitnaker, of Baldwin, Chairman of the Chemistry Department at Baker University; and Major Frank C. Leitnaker, Jr., of Silver Springs, Md.; and 15 grandchildren. - Jul 1 1964

Frank Cherry Leitnaker BIRTH 26 Apr 1895 Thurston, Fairfield County, Ohio DEATH 24 Jun 1964 (aged 69) Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, BURIAL Oakwood Cemetery Baldwin City, Douglas County, Kansas

Frank Cherry Leitnaker, died June 24, 1964, in St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, from complications of a heart attack on June 6.

Cherry (as he was generally known), was born in Thurston, Ohio on April 26, 1895 (not 1896 as the tombstone indicates), the son of Ellsworth and Fanny (Cherry) Leitnaker.

The family moved to Parsons when Cherry was a young boy. His father operated a dry goods store in the 2100 block on Main.

Cherry was the retired, former owner and publisher of the Baldwin Ledger. He purchased the newspaper in 1932 and sold it in 1956 after which he taught journalism at Baker University in Baldwin and was its director of public relations. He recently served as Baker alumni secretary.

Cherry graduated from Parsons High School with the class of 1914 and served in France in the army medical corps in World War I.

He was graduated from Baker University in 1922 and taught school before buying the newspaper.

Cherry’s wife, Ruth Leitnaker, who survives, is the former Ruth Maclean. Her father was a pastor of the First Methodist Church here.

Cherry served several years on the board of trustees at Baker, was a member of the Baldwin Methodist Church and was a lay leader in the church many years. He also held membership in the Rotary Club, American Legion, Delta Tau Delta fraternity and Masonic organizations.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons and 1 daughter and a brother, Dwight Leitnaker of Wellsville; and 15 grandchilden. Frank Cherry Leitnaker April 24 1895-Jun3 24 1964
Frank Cherry Leintnaker, Director of Alumni Relations, Baker University, died June 24m in St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, where he had been underdgoing treatment since suffering a heart attach June 6

He was born in Thurston, Ohio, April 26, the son of Ellsworth and Fanny Leitnaker. At the age of 6 he moved with his family to Parsons, Kansas, where his father operated a shirt factory.

During World War I he served in France in the Army medical corps, 35th Division. He returned from service and enrolled in Baker University from which he graduated in 1922.

In the same year, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Maclean who was also a student of Baker.

Following his graduation he was publisher of the Culver (Ind.) Citizen for eight years with college classmate, Miles Robinson. In 1933 he returned to Baldwin as publisher of the Baldwinf Ledger and devoter the next 22 years in the service of his community.

In 1956 he sold the newspaper and accepted a position as instructor of journalism at Baker. In addition to his teaching dutied Mr. Leintnaker also acted as publicity director and in recent years served as director of alumnie relations.

He was usually know as "Cherry", which was his own middle name and his mother's maiden name.

Cherry was a member of the Baker University Board pf Trustees from 1943-1955 and server that group as secretary from 1952-1955.

He was active in the Baldwin Methodist Church having served as lay leader and chairman of the pastoral relations committee for the Baldwin church for many years. Also he was a member of Rotary International, the American Legion, AF & AM, Delts Tau Delta Fraternity and the Kinife and Fork Club

Chery was recognized for his service for m any years as chapter advisor of his fraternity and accorded its highest honor, election to the national arch chapter.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of the home, a daughter, Dr. Claire Tamblyn of Shawnnee Mission; two sons: Dr> James M. Leitnaker of Baldwin, Chraiman of the Chemistry Department of Baker Unicersity and Major Frank C. Leitnaker, Jr. of SIlver Springs, Md., an army phusician stationed at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C. ALso a brother Dwight of Wellsville, Kansas and 15 grandchildren.

Memorial services were held at the Baldwin Methodist Church, Sunday, June 28 with Rev. Mark ROuch in charge and Dean Benj. A. Gessner giving the eulogy. Rev. Joyce WIlson of Parsons a member of the Baker University Board of Trustees sanf two selections. Prof. Al R. Service was at the organ

Memorial gifts for the Cherry Leitnaker scholarship fund are being receinved by the Baker U. treasurer

In his eulogy, Dean Gessner said:
"Cherru was sensitive to the demands of the group of his fellowmen. He was sociocentric. By this i mean he recognized the values of society without blindly yielding to all of the pressures of Socoiety.

Cherry was well awayre of the power of the press not only to express the opinions of various polides, but also to change or mold those opinons. He understood the implications of Carlisle's question, 'Is not an able editor one of the rulers of the world?' ....
Summer Issue 1964 - conitnued on page 19

Ruth Maclean BIRTH 11 Jul 1901 China DEATH 1 Jul 1976 Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas BURIAL Oakwood Cemetery Baldwin City, Douglas County, Kansas

Mrs. Ruth Leitnaker, 75 of 710 Baker St, Baldwin, Kansas died July 1, 1976. She was a longtime resident of the community and a former owner of the Baldwin Ledger along with her late husband, F.C."Cherry" Leitnaker, who died in 1964.

She died in a Kansas City hospital after a sudden illness. She was born July 11, 1901 in China, where her father was serving as a Methodist missionary.

She moved to Baldwin from Independence in 1935.

She and her husband owned and operated the Baldwin Ledger until 1957, She worked on everything from local and society news to advertisement on the Ledger.

She was a 1962 graduate of Baker University and was a librarian for the university until she retired in February, 1976.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, PEO, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Baker. She was also active in the Business & Professional Women's Club, the Tuesday Reading Club, the Leisure Hour club and church programs.

Mrs. Leitnaker and her husband devoted much of their time to the town and college.

Their three children and numerous other relatives graduated from Baker University.

Survivors include their 3 children, two sons and a daughter, two sisters, Mrs Revilla Campbell of Lee's Summit, MO and Mrs. Margaret M Rossier, Angwin, CA and 16 grandchildren.

Memorial services were held at the First United Methodist Church, Ruth donated her body to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Memorial contributions to the Leitnaker Memorial Fund at Baker University were requested in lieu of flowers.

Children:

Dr. Claire Leitnaker

Claire Leitnaker Tamblyn died Thursday, November 07 2019. Born in Culver, Indiana on July 19th, 1923, the oldest of 3 Leitnaker children.

Claire was a member of Alpha Chi Omega while attending Baker University, from which she graduated with a degree in English. And you always had to watch your English around her because she would correct anyone when necessary. (Her grandchildren addressed her as ‘Grammer.’) She was an extraordinary woman that was good at anything she tried. She loved cooking, golf, singing in the Colonial Church choir, bridge, birdwatching, collecting art, and ‘R&R’ at the lake with her girlfriends. She graduated from KU Med School in 1951 with her M.D. in a time when it was unheard of for women to go into medicine. It was so rare in fact, that in 1958 she appeared on the TV show ‘What’s My Line?”

She spent her career working long hours at Research Hospital as an anesthesiologist, but wasn’t too busy to take her children out of school to see movies like Fantasia or 2001. Mom spent her last years with the fine people at Bickford in Mission in the Memory Care Unit.

Preceded in death by husband George and her daughter Claudia Corey. Claire leaves her brothers, James Leitnaker in Tennessee and Frank Leitnaker in Germany, sons Greg Tamblyn, Jeff Tamblyn (Linda), Rick Tamblyn (Marthe); Son-in-law Roger Corey; eight grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a private memorial to spread her ashes.

Contributions may be made to Baker University.

Dr. James Maclean Leitnaker Sr. BIRTH 17 Sep 1924 Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, DEATH 10 Jan 2021 Oak Ridge, Anderson County, Tennessee

James M. Leitnaker, age 96, of Kingston, died peacefully on January 10, 2021 at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. Born in Indiana, Jim grew up in Baldwin, Kansas and eventually settled in Kingston.

He entered World War II at the age of 18 and was awarded the Purple Heart.

While overseas, he met and married his sweetheart Jean who hailed from England. Their union spanned 67 years and produced six children.

Jim also served in the Korean War where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He earned his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Kansas and taught chemistry at Baker University.

Ultimately Jim and Jean and their children settled in East Tennessee in 1965 to begin a long career at both K-25 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he held numerous patents.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed life on his small farm in Kingston. He gardened, raised dogs and embraced the life of a gentleman farmer. He loved to sing and was known to belt out “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” as he tilled his garden. Jim had the true heart of a servant and in his retirement his overarching commitment was to public education. He tutored and mentored many students, served two terms on the Roane County Board of Education, was founder and president of The Children’s Reading

Foundation of the Tennessee Valley and a tireless supporter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. He carried enrollment forms for Dolly’s organization everywhere he went and signed up countless children over the years. In addition, Jim was an active member in the Rotary Club and belonged to Kingston United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School. His guiding scripture was Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Jim embodied these words throughout his life and he will forever be remembered as a good and faithful servant.

Jim was predeceased by his wife Jean; son, James M. Leitnaker Jr.; daughter, Ruthie Paddock, and sister, Claire Tamblyn. He is survived by his sons, Pete (Sharon) Leitnaker and John (Anne) Leitnaker; daughters, Mary Leitnaker and Sara Shaver; a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother, Frank (Chris) Leitnaker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date due to Covid 19. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Jim’s memory to The Roane Imagination Library, P. O. Box 128, Kingston, TN 37763. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc.

Major Frank C. Leitnaker, Jr.,