Darrell E. Leslie, Sr.

Darrell (Fonzie) was born on July 19, 1948, in Boonville, IN to the late Roy Sr. and Ruby Leslie (Weyerbacker). As a child he was quite a spitfire. Nothing could keep him down, not even Polio. He never let it slow him down and was always an active kid. In high school Fonz was a devout hot rodder. He was always drag racing or working on cars (usually changing transmissions he tore up). He was a self-taught auto body/paint man and a pretty good mechanic as well.

Fonzie married his high school sweetheart Linda Holsapple, on August 30, 1968. They had 2 children Darrell Jr. and Cathie. Fonzie and Linda moved several times around Newburgh until they settled on their forever home on Outer Lincoln where they raised their kids. They loved their kids and enjoyed spending time with them no matter where they were.

After high school Fonzie worked in Union construction. First as a Laborer then as an Operating Engineer in Local 181. After a few years he went to work for Amax at Ayrshire Coal. He was a proud Union Coal Miner and enjoyed the time he spent with his union brothers and sisters. He was elected president of United Mine Workers Local Union 1907 where he proudly served the membership in negotiations, safety and working conditions. Fonzie still spoke with lifelong friends from the mine throughout his life. When the mine closed Fonzie went back to Local 181 where he enjoyed many years working with union brothers and sisters in the area powerplants, commercial properties, roads and many bridges. He was able to retire from both the UMWA and Local 181 in 2014. He was also a member of Newburgh Masonic Lodge.

Fonzie and Linda had a lot of fun with family and friends. They enjoyed camping, racing and getting together for any occasion. He and Linda had great friends they would camp and travel to races with. He was known as the Candyman when they were camping. He loved making sure all the kiddos had plenty of candy whether their parents wanted them to have it or not. There was never a dull moment with The Fonz.

The one absolute with Fonzie was his promotion to Pappaw. This was the highest honor he could ever get. He loved those Grandkids more than life itself. Not a day went by that he wasn’t either seeing them, texting them, or thinking about how he could spoil them. It was his Part 2 in Life. And when his Great Grandson Andre Darrell came into this world it was even more so. It was a blessing that Pappaw got to meet him.

There is no one way to sum up what kind of impact Fonzie had on the people that knew him or had dealings with him. Fonzie was one of those unique individuals that was larger than life and had a positive impact on those that knew him. There isn’t one person that knew him, even just a little, that is thinking of a funny Fonzie story as they read this. Just ask them.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sr. and Ruby Leslie (Weyerbacher), and his son, Darrell Jr.

Darrell is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda (Holsapple) Leslie; daughter, Cathie Beard (Mark); grandchildren, Halie Post (Nate), Jakeb Beard, and Kelsie Beard, and great grandson Andre Darrell Post; brother, Roy Leslie Jr. (June), and sister, Betty Peppiatt. There are many nieces and nephews that he thought the world of as well.

Newburgh Lodge 174 will have a Masonic Service at 1:30 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2024 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261. Following is the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Tommy Epperson, with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. Family and friends may visit Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com .