Dwight Preston Leach

Dwight Preston Leach, 95, died peacefully Thursday morning, November 5, at Trinity United Church homes in Beavercreek, where he had resided since 1999. Dwight was born to Henry and Madge (Woodruff) Leach on February 28, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan. 

He grew up in Athens, Ohio, graduating in 1948 from Athens High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was discharged in 1952, taking a job as an X-ray technician at the tuberculosis hospital in Brecksville, Ohio, where he met the love of his life, Martha Louise DeLong. They were married on September 5, 1953 at Bethany Lutheran Church near Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Dwight graduated from Ohio University in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering and was a lifelong Bobcats and Michigan fan, especially in football. The family moved to Dayton in 1958 when he took a job as an efficiency expert at Defense Electronics Supply Center. He retired in 1986.

Dwight was a faithful member at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dayton, beginning in 1958. He taught eighth-grade Sunday school for many years, and taught catechism class - which he loved - in his 70's and into his early 80's. He served on Church Council including as President. He led the prayer group up until a few weeks ago.

Dwight was a lover of history and took his family on many vacations that included historical sites during the summers and even during Easter vacation. He especially loved reading about the Civil War and World War II. People loved to talk with him. He had a lot of stories about growing up in the Depression and World War II. He was always interested in listening to what they had to say.

In addition to his parents, Dwight was preceded in death by his wife, Martha; in-laws, Lloyd and Mary DeLong; son, Craig Leach; brother, James Leach; and his nephew, Patrick Leach.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Pastors Laura and Ronald Shreffler of Georgetown, Ohio; son, David Leach, of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Joshua (Kalle Deyette) Leach of Washington, D.C., Benjamin Leach of Fenton, Missouri, Daniel (Emma) Leach of Herculaneum, Missouri, and Rebecca (Christian) Babyak of Ona, West Virginia; great-grandchildren, William "Liam" Leach, Elijah Leach, Everett Leach and Seraphina Babyak; nephew, Michael Leach; niece, Diane (John) Redman; and sister-in-law, Amelia Leach.

Visitation will be held at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church from 10:00am-12:00pm (3315 Martel Dr, Dayton) on Friday, November 13, 2026, with Pastor Stephen Kimpel officiating. A funeral service will follow at 12:00pm.

Dwight will be laid to rest with military honors at Beavertown cemetery following the service.

The family would like to thank all of those from Faith Lutheran Church, the staff at Trinity Lutheran Church Homes and Dwight's neighbors for all of their care and graciousness toward him. Memorials made be made to Faith Lutheran Church in Dayton, and Trinity United Church Homes (3218 Indian Ripple Rd, Dayton).

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