Charles R. Leonard

Charles Ross Leonard, 78, passed away at Riverside Hospital May 9, 2019 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was born January 10, 1941 in Marion, OH, graduated from Groveport High School, 1960, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War (1964-65). He served with great pride and dedication as a Columbus police officer for 18 years. He looked forward to his daily conversations with his McDonald’s buddies over a cup of coffee. He had a love for classic cars many of which he enjoyed restoring. He and his wife, Linda, enjoyed their many travels, their favorite being the Great Smoky Mountains. He used his many talents to refurbish their home in Kentucky. Preceded in death by parents Grace Haycraft and Charles Dana Leonard; stepmother, Eilene Leonard; brothers Ronnie and Robert Haycraft; and niece, Stephanie DiGuilio Rosso. Survived by wife of 28 years, Linda Maraffa Leonard; sister, Sylvia Leonard DiGuilio; sister-n-law Barbara Haycraft, daughter, Carlene (Dewayne) Gibson; son, Tracy Wilke; stepdaughters, Angela (Chad) Mankins and Natalie (Patrick) Niemann; grandchildren, Eli, Abi, Lilli Gibson, Sean Mankins, and Soffia Niemann, nieces and nephews Ronda Haycraft Renihan, Barbara Haycraft Jones, Todd and Mark Haycraft, James DiGuilio, Ricci DiGuilio Gravely. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 13th from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME, 650 W. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester, OH 43110, where a funeral service will be held at 1:00 on Tuesday, May 14th. Interment at Betzer Cemetery.