Vera Alice Leichty

August 7, 2011, Vera Alice (Downs) Leichty entered her heavenly home and strolled into the arms of her husband, Simon Leichty. Alice, as she was most often known, was born on August 29, 1919 in Jasper Co., Rensselaer, Indiana to Harry Orval & Grace Mearl (Standish) Downs. The family lived on East Oak Street in Rensselaer. In 1924, Vera moved to Broadway Gardens, near Glenn Park, close to Gary, with her parents, two older sisters, Dorothy Agnes and Farol Margaruite, and younger siblings, Audrey Jane and Donald Orval. Here she attended her first years of school at Broadway Gardens Elementary School. In 1929, they moved close to Lake Michigan, near what was known as Miller, where sister Rosemary Grace was born. In 1931, the Downs family moved to Mt. Ayr, Indiana, where Alice completed seventh through sophomore years at Mt. Ayr School. During this time her father helped build the gym on the Mt. Ayr High School and a little sister, Barbara Jean, was added to complete the Downs family. On a visit to Alice’s sister, Farol, Alice met Simon Leichty, son of John J. and Salome (Chupp) Leichty. Simon worked in Mt. Ayr at the Sherman White Creamery for Farol’s husband, Kenneth Blankenbaker. On October 12, 1935, Alice and Simon eloped and were married in Kentland by Rev. Edward Richard Edwards. Simon paid $5 for the wedding ring and $2 to the minister. They spent the night at sister, Dorothy and Gerald Baldwin’s home on U. S. 114. There was no honeymoon. They seemed to have forgotten that Alice was only 16 years old at the time, but they didn't forget their vows and were married nearly 57 years. They settled with Simon's parents on the present Spall farm in Jasper County where they had no electricity. Later, Simon’s parents purchased Blankenbaker Creamery in Mt. Ayr and the families moved into the back part of the building. Various moves followed. In September, 1945, Simon and Alice purchased "the farm” from his uncle, Menno Chupp. The place was an old gravel pit with a house in need of much repair. They paid Menno one dollar according to tax records with $2000 additional. In 1945, they moved to the farm and soon began the construction of their first home. In 1947-1957, they raised hundreds of chickens and eggs, which they sold to Joe’s Produce, Brook, Indiana. In 1955, Alice began working in Morocco, Indiana at Permonite, a wire and electronic press factory handling auto and television parts. She retired on July 30, 1982. Alice moved to Rensselaer in May, following Simon’s death on September 6, 1992. She worked as volunteer in the Auxiliary at Jasper County Hospital in 1998 and 1999. Alice was raised in the Methodist faith, and joined the Burr Oak Mennonite Church after her marriage. Survivors include: 4 children, Walter Lee Leichty, Olathe, Kansas, Jo Ann (Bruce) Maupin Brandon, Mississippi, Ronald Allen (Sharon) Leichty Argos, Indiana, and Philip Dean (Virginia) Leichty Rensselaer, Indiana; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; and two sisters, Audrey Jane Kissinger, Mt. Ayr, Indiana and Barbara Jean (Urtz) Etchoe, Hammond, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her husband, one brother, three sisters, and a grandsonVisitation will be Thursday, August 11, 2011, 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Jackson Funeral Chapel in Rensselaer, Indiana and one hour prior to the funeral service at Burr Oak Mennonite Church. The funeral will be August 12, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Debbie Voss officiating. Interment will be in the nearby Burr Oak Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church. Contributions can be made to Burr Oak Mennonite Church located at 11506 W 200 S, Rensselaer, Indiana.

Vera Alice Leichty

August 29, 1919 - August 7, 2011