Leo Wencil Melsha Jr.

Leo W. Melsha Jr., age 87, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Leo was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Leo W. Melsha Sr. and Zola Mae Claire Melsha. He grew up in the Cedar Rapids area and enrolled in the U.S. Air Force in October 1957, retiring October 1988. He was married to his high school sweetheart on May 27, 1961.

During his 31 years of service in the Air Force, he had a variety of duty assignments traveling to various locations, enjoying the bases, locales, and people he met. After his military career, Leo worked for the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department until retiring from State service on June 15, 2002.

Beyond his careers, Leo was a religious man who always made time for family and friends, often traveling all over the valley to pick up their favorite things. He loved doting on his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and even served on the PTA for his grandchildren. There wasn’t a restaurant he visited with his wife where they didn’t make fast friends with their servers, who they would then visit weekly. Leo had a quick wit and a sharp tongue, bringing smiles and giggles to those he loved. He was an amazing and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Leo will be remembered for his warmth, quiet strength, and steady love that shaped the lives of his family and friends, and he will be dearly missed. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.”

Leo is survived by his wife, Marna; daughters, Rhonda (Ed) Bobbin in Florida, Daunn Smith; grandchildren, Shawn (Devon) Grenier, Aaron Grenier, Brandi Bobbin (Matt) in Florida,Courtney (Nate) VanNoy, Chris Smith; great-grandchildren,Reagan and Jensen VanNoy; sister Karen (Bill) Duette in Ohio, son-in-law Oswald Grenier; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

Leo is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Vicki Grenier; grandparents; brothers, Terry Melsha and Larry Melsha; half-brother, Irving Longerbeam; and aunts, uncles, and nieces.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.