Edward Joseph Leinacker

Edward Joseph Leinacker, 89, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017. Ed was born May 8, 1928, in Topeka, the son of Joseph and Rose Leinacker. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Capitol Catholic High School (now Hayden Catholic High School). In 1946, Ed and Juanita “Nita” Hesse were married; they later divorced. On July 1, 1967, Ed and Frances Jane Marshall were married. She passed December 16, 2010. Ed started his career in the glass business as a glazier with Pittsburg Glass, then Acme Glass which became Acme-Harding and then Harding Glass. Ed was a manager with Harding Glass in Nebraska and was transferred to Tulsa where he was instrumental in installing glass in the tallest building at that time in Oklahoma. He moved to Lawrence, Kansas, working for Wilson Glass, then bought that company and named it Allied Glass. Ed also installed glass in the Docking Building and in Allen Fieldhouse. Upon retirement, he and Jane moved to Sun City West, Arizona. He enjoyed woodworking and made many beautiful and practical pieces of furniture, even a treehouse, for his family members and others. He and Jane liked to travel and especially loved Hawaii. He liked desserts particularly chocolate and coconut cream pie. They loved their family and their dogs, Ginny and Krissy, who Ed made seats for in the car so they could see out. Ed was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Grateful to have shared his life are his daughter, Karen Erpelding (Darryl); step-sons, Steve Marshall (Mary), Bob Marshall (Michael) and Richard Marshall (Kinn); grandchildren, Dena Kruger (David), Kelli Lohse (Kurt), Darren Erpelding (Judy), Kari Erpelding, D’Jay Hartter, Brandi Lehr (Joe), John Tyler Marshall (Cathie) and Stephanie Jane Coker (Dusty); 17 great-grandchildren, Keenan, Dailin, Kaidon, Daigan and Kaibryn Kruger, Kirah Lohse, Kate, Jayla and Beckham Erpelding, Kylie and Carson Coker, Britni Epple, Zachary Epple and Payton Lehr, Alex, Jesse and Wade Hartter; his sisters, Patty Johnson, Rosie Crocker and Betty Feldmeier; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Leinacker and Gail Leinacker. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Larry and Leo Leinacker, his daughter, Lynda Hartter and son-in-law, Elgin Hartter. Family will greet friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Christ the King Church, where a rosary will be prayed at 10:30 and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Hayden Catholic High School, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Edward Joseph Leinacker

May 8, 1928 - June 17, 2017