Porter resident John Gex “Jack” Leath died Monday, April 28, 2008 at home, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 49.

He was born on August 21, 1958 in Gary. On October 7, 1989, he married Catherine “Cathy” Murray of Porter, his loving wife who survives him.

Also surviving are daughter Ashley Leath (fiancée Justin Ellenberger) of Hobart; son Joshua Leath of Porter; granddaughter Piper Ellenberger of Hobart; mother Margaret (nee Scott) Troke (husband Jerry) of Valparaiso and Joe Leath (wife Mary Ann) of Portage; sisters Suzanne Zimmerman (Jeffry) of Chesterton and Christine Reno (Randy, Sr.) of Chesterton; stepbrother Todd Henry of Kentucky; stepsisters Rachel of Texas and Rose and Rayann Rockhill of Portage; and grandmother Monita “Granny” Williams.

He was preceded in death by his son Jonathan, grandfather Jake “Pa” Williams, parents-in-law Michael and Darlene Murray and grandparents Ellis and Virginia “Gigi” Henry.

He leaves many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends to cherish his memory. Jack served in the U.S. Army and will be remembered as an avid fisherman, expert handyman and dedicated family man. He especially enjoyed entertaining in his backyard at night around a roaring bonfire.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at noon at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, with Pastor Marj Kooy officiating. Interment will be in Chesterton Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends who wish to celebrate Jack’s memory will be on Wednesday, April 30 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family for Joshua’s education fund.

Posted 4/29/2008