Visitation:
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Secor Funeral Home
New Washington, Ohio
Service:
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
1:00 p.m.
St. Bernard Catholic Church
New Washington, Ohio
Gayle Martin Leach, age 86, resident of North Auburn, Ohio passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at the home of his son in Toledo, Ohio, surrounded by loving family. Gayle was born on February 21, 1940, in Elyria, Ohio to the late John Sherman Leach and Hazel Edith Leach (née Martin).
He was part of the Army Nation Guard of Ohio from 1959 until 1969. Gayle married Joan Leach (née Kraft) on August 8, 1959. Gayle and Joan were married for 52 years when she passed away and had four children together. He worked for Mansfield Brass & Aluminum from 1960 to 2011 (Almost 52 years), working in different roles but most of his time as Plant Engineer. He had been a resident of North Auburn since 1961. He was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in New Washington.
Gayle and Joan loved hosting. Together, they created countless cherished memories with family and friends. Their home was often filled with laughter as they celebrated holidays and hosted gatherings for occasions like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and birthdays. A talented cake decorator, Gayle loved to make his grandchildren's birthdays extra special by creating custom cakes that reflected their interests that year. Family was an important part of his life. He enjoyed spending holidays and birthdays with family. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend his grandchildren's plays, sporting events, weddings, and graduations. Throughout his life, he found great satisfaction in making and fixing things around his home. He also enjoyed listening to audiobooks, which provided him with hours of entertainment, especially during long drives. In retirement, he enjoyed target shooting at the range with his grandchildren and traveling for work with his son, Mark. These trips were affectionately referred to as "workcations". In his later years, one of his greatest delights was spending time with his great- grandchildren. Their visits brought him immense joy.
Gayle is survived by three sons, Thomas (Angela) Leach of Plain City, Ohio; Dale (Candace) Leach of Tiro, Ohio; and Mark (Crystal) Leach of Toledo, Ohio; six grandchildren, Joshua (Taylor) Leach, Kassandra Leach, Jacob (Michelle) Leach, Patrick Leach, Jenna (Anthony) McCullough (née Leach) and Mackenzie (Mitchell) Brunko (née Leach); two great-grandchildren Eleanor Brunko and Henry Brunko; son-in-law Lee Jamison of Mount Gilead, Ohio and sister-in-law Mary Kraft of Texas.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his daughter Annette Jamison (née Leach); two sisters Evalyn Vroman (née Leach) and Verda Swartz (née Leach): two brothers-in-law Lester Swartz and Arthur Vroman.
Viewing is at the Secor Funeral Home in New Washington, Ohio on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Bernard Catholic Church with Fr. Eric Mueller celebrating. Burial will follow at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery in North Auburn, Ohio.
Memorial contributions can be made to Crawford County Humane Society or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences can be made at www.SecorFuneralHomes.com