Leon B. Alter Passes Away at Age 105

From The Post & Mail March 18, 2013:

Leon Braden Alter, 105, of North Manchester, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2013 at Timbercrest where he had been a resident since 1984.

He was born February 24, 1908 in Forest, Indiana a son of Leander Clinton and Anna Grace (Braden) Alter. He graduated from Forest High School in 1927 and Purdue University in 1933 with a degree in agriculture education.

He began teaching at New Paris High School. In 1937 he began teaching at Columbia City High School, instructing agriculture along with Biology for many years, retiring in 1976. He taught summer Biology for many years after his retirement. He served as FFA leader at CCHS and was a 4-H leader in Whitley County for many years.

On May 28, 1939 he was united in marriage to Helen F. Long. They made their home in Columbia City until moving to Timbercrest in 1984, enjoying their winters in Venice, Florida until 1995. Mrs. Alter died in 1997.

After retirement, Leon stayed active with golf, bowling, swimming, playing pool and shuffleboard.

Surviving relatives include two children, Jim (Phyllis) Alter of Boise, Idaho and Jane (Ron) Yohe of Columbia City; six grandchildren, Clinton Alter of Portland OR, Rachael (C.J.) Johnson of Missoula MT, Lt. Col. Shane (Carol) Sullivan of Denver CO, Jeff (Amy) Sullivan of Carmel IN, Shelley (Brett) Eberly and Mandy (Nick) Hartman, both of Columbia City; and 11 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with burial at West Etna Community Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to Timbercrest Employee Christmas Bonus Fund or Heartland Hospice of Fort Wayne.

Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

 Return to Alumni News