James Edward Leininger

Haviland- James Edward Leininger, 93, died October 29, 2020 in Hugoton, Kansas. He was born January 8, 1927 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Charles and Catherine Leininger. He grew up on a farm in Mitchell, Nebraska. His mother died when he was 3. After graduating from high school, he worked as a farm hand, hospital orderly, and at a meat packing plant before being drafted to serve in the Korean War. He served in the newly integrated Army as a surveyor building air strips with a formerly black unit. He was promoted to sergeant during his tour of duty. After his return, he worked as a farm hand in Hay Springs Nebraska. He met Roberta Allen and they married on December 30, 1958. A back injury sent him to college, first Friends University, then Chadron State and finally to a Master of Science from Emporia State University. He taught high school science in Arthur and Valentine, Nebraska before moving to Haviland, Kansas to teach at Barclay College in 1972. He taught there until his retirement. He was known for his homemade jerky and sausage, creating science equipment out of junk, his sense of humor, his love of stories, his hospitality hosting foreign students and even people stranded by mechanical problems, and the fact that he never met a stranger. Most of all he was known for his love for the Lord and his willingness to be God’s hands and feet as he helped others. This continued even into his 90’s. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Ruth Leininger, Lucy Young, and JoAnne Stark; and his wife Roberta. He is survived by his 4 children, Charlotte (Sherman) Dance, Ruth Anna (Doug) Reiners, Philip (Becky) Leininger, Charles (Chelle) Leininger; his grandchildren, Caroline (Daniel Woeste), Susannah, and Del Dance, Tympani Skelton, Mitchell, Matthew, Michael, Kaitlyn, Zackary, and Nathan Leininger, Andreia (Jace) Moore and their children Tami, Toni, Alex and Travis; many nieces and nephews and many others who became family to him. To honor his life, tell a story and be God’s hands and feet to help someone. A memorial service will be held 1:30 pm on November 9, 2020 at Haviland Friends Church, Haviland. Memorials are suggested to Barclay College, Haviland, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, PO Box 41, Greensburg, KS 67054.