John Herbert Leffel II

John was known to many as the most handsome man that he had ever known, and on top of his Einstein-like math ability, one of the most intelligent men of our time. He was an expert at not only delegating out tasks to his sons, but instilling supervisory skill sets in addressing the proper way of completing said tasks. His “proper way” methodology would have had a YouTube sensation following, if he only knew to whom to delegate this task to in his prime. His leaf raking and bagging management efforts led to one of the finest and most well kept yards in Indianapolis for years. His Gutters were sparkling due to his from-ground, gutter cleaning supervisory skills. His dedication to a job well done served his sons very well in an education on work ethic and understanding why always doing your best work is so important.

The women who found his mathematically advanced good looks to be the most entertaining started in chronological order with his beloved Mother Esther Cecelia Leffel (Rode), his beautiful and much younger wife Karen Sue Leffel (Bell), his two loving sisters, Holly Ann Leffel and Mary Beth Linder (Leffel), and his three loved grand daughters, Cadence Elizabeth Leffel, Kenna Sue Leffel, and Ashtyn Lucille Leffel, and his two daughters-in-law, Tiffani Leffel, and Ashley Leffel. John is also survived by his brother Geoff, his three sons, Bert, Ken, and Dean, and two grandsons, Johnny Leffel and Ezra Leffel. He joins his mother, Esther, father John, and grandchildren lost in pregnacy, and childbirth in Heaven. He worked hard all of his life to provide an amazing lifestyle and family life for his family. He also helped to usher many children off of his front porch and into his home and heart over the years. His three sons provided more than a colorful script of characters and scenes over the years.

John had a passion for travel with his wife, annual vacations with his family, Notre Dame football, Yankees baseball, IU Hoosiers basketball, and any sport his family was playing. From cheerleading to rugby and everything in between he was an avid lover of all athletics, and encouraged his family to stay active through sports. He had a knack for growing tomatoes and as the self proclaimed, Farmer John, figured out how to grow mathematically perfect tomatoes. He prepared more Sunday dinners and holiday meals for his entire family than one could ever hope for. His love of food and the gatherings that it harvested helped him keep his sons and extended family connected and close over the years. His Sunday dinners were a lesson to all who had a chance to attend one, and many who knew of them, that family is the most important part of our lives; and food is a close second, a very close second.

John’s passion in life was highlighted by the love of his wife, and mother of his children, Karen Sue Leffel (Bell). While he was not the most romantic in expectations set by literature or movies, he was a rock of a husband and loved his wife more than anyone could ever expect, or hope to be loved. He was always supportive and protective of Karen, and would have done anything to protect her and their sons, or anyone else he loved for that matter. He was the strongest example of a loving husband, father, and friend that most that knew him will ever come to know. His love for Karen reflected this above all else and he died lovingly in her arms still very much in love.

John had a passion for service and helped many organizations to find a “proper way” to help others. He served in the National Guard as a young man, taught as a professor of Finance at Ivy Tech, served as the Treasurer at the Northside Knights of Columbus, supporter of Kiwanis International, supporter of the Gibault school, and numerous other charitable causes where aid was needed. He served many clients and friends with the utmost dignity and honesty as a Financial Advisor and Stock Broker with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and E.F Hutton for over 40 years. He always did what was right and advised people with their best interests at heart and never his own.

John was a devout Christian and Catholic. He was a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas when he first moved to Indianapolis, and then long time parishioner of St. Pius X parish, where he raised his family. He grew up attending St. Matthews Parish in Mount Vernon, IN and would like to take some of the credit for Catholic Mass changing over to English from Latin. He was born on November 1, 1947, sharing the holiday of All Saints Day, of which he jokingly said was named after him to his sons. After seeing how he lived, how deeply he loved, and the positivity he brought those around him and across the world, that statement is hard to deny. Until we meet again, we all love you.

Visitation will be held at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, Friday November 8, 2019 from 4-7 PM located at 2126 East 71st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220. His funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X, at 7200 Sarto Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46240, starting at 12:30 PM, Saturday November 8, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, John and the family ask that you make a donation to the Environmental Defense Fund in memory of John Leffel at: www.edf.org.