Leslie Jack McLenithan

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence McLenithan and Ruth Anderson and two siblings, Phyllis and Pete.

Jack is survived by his dear wife of nearly 34 years, Patricia (Leidholdt) McLenithan of Marquette; two sons, Michael (Sheri) McLenithan of Grand Rapids, MI and Patrick (Lori) McLenithan of Boone, NC; and daughter, Christine (John) Dogoldogol of San Diego, CA. Jack also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, Richelle, Nichole, Kaila, Michelle, Jaquelyn, Chelsey, Cameron, Lauren, and Taylor; and 3 great-grandchild ren, Mena, Ellamae, and Alice.

Jack was born on May 27, 1933, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up in Middleville, Michigan, where he and his brothers enjoyed the usual boyhood antics.

Jack possessed a great sense of humor and sharp wit which remained with him the rest of his life. After graduating from high school, Jack served in the Korean War as a soldier with an assignment of breaking code. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and started a family. He joined the Michigan State Police in Jackson and served as a trooper for about four years. During this time he was awarded for saving a young boy’s life by performing CPR during a traffic stop.

In 1958 Jack and his wife started to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and were baptized soon after. The family then moved to the UP from lower Michigan where they all became active members of the local Marquette Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Jack proved to be a faithful servant of Jehovah throughout the rest of his life, using every opportunity to share his faith with his neighbors. For over 30 years he visited Marquette prison conducting Bible study meetings with inmates in order to assist with their rehabilitation.

In September of 1986, Jack married his beloved wife, Patricia Leidholdt from Baraga, Michigan. Together they spent nearly 34 years of marriage as best friends and a truly happy and beautiful couple right up until his last breath. Jack loved retirement and spent countless hours writing letters of encouragement from the scriptures to families who had recently lost loved ones in death. He leaves behind a large spiritual heritage.

For those who didn’t know Jack, it’s hard to find a short way to describe him. He was larger than life in all aspects. He took his responsibilities very seriously and yet always balanced them with love and a sense of humor. Jack is well known for his gift of writing poems, witty limericks, cartoons, and telling endless jokes. He was a great storyteller, singer, father, grandfather, and a wonderful friend to so many people. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of UP Home Health and Hospice and staff of Trillium Hospice House for making Jack’s final hours peaceful for him as well as the kindnesses they extended to the family. A favorite scripture of the family that they wanted to share is God’s promise at Revelation 21:4

“And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trillium Hospice House, 1144 Northland Drive, Marquette, MI 49855.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com. For further information, email nicolethompson80@gmail.com