Rev. Leonard Strait Sr.

Rev. Leonard LeRoy Strait Sr., age 81, of Ithaca, MI passed away Thursday, December 31, 2015 at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Ithaca Wesleyan Church   Ithaca, MI on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Douglas Strait officiating.  Burial will take place at Hart Cemetery Hart, MI at a later date.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2016 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI.  Visitation will also be held on Monday, January 4, 2016 from 12:00 until the time of the service at Ithaca Wesleyan Church.

Leonard was born in Muskegon, Michigan on March 17, 1934, the son of Henry and Lydia (Gonsor) Strait.  He married Dorine Greene on October 30, 1953 in Muskegon, MI.  Leonard earned his Masters Degree from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1986.

His passion in life was his family and the church.  In 1964 the Lord led him to attend Owosso Bible College to become a minister.  Leonard pastored in Lansing, Brady Center, South Bend, Indiana, Waterloo, Iowa, Edgetts and Ithaca.  He was instrumental in starting the Sunday School Convention at Cobo Hall for the Wesleyan Church.  Leonard served as District Sunday School Secretary and on the DBMD and DBA.  He pastored for 50 years.  He was a gifted musician, playing the piano and guitar.  Leonard liked to fish, hunt and camp.  He also enjoyed a good piece of pumpkin pie.

He is survived by his wife Dorine Strait of Ithaca, MI, son Leonard and Crystal Strait Jr. of Chesaning, MI, daughter Christine and Terry Jones of Granger, IN, daughter Diana and Paul Stanton of Fishers, IN, daughter Barbara and James Schenck of Adrian, MI, son Douglas and Brenda Strait of Ithaca, MI, 15 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.  Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and 11 siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the Strait family.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan.