James Michael “Leo” Deitner

James Michael “Leo” Deitner passed peacefully, with his wife by his side, at Listowel Memorial Hospital on Nov. 5, 2024 in his 90th year. 

 

The beloved husband of Rita (Graf) Deitner for 66 years, Leo was the loving father of Brian and Candace Deitner (Brussels) Cathy and Jean-Marc Beneteau (Belle River) Kevin and Alicia Deitner (Brussels). He was the cherished grandfather of Kiley and Jonas Whytock, Trista and Devon MacDonald, Julie Beneteau, Paul and Amy Beneteau, Marc Beneteau, Tyler and Jessica Deitner, Morgan and Remi Zoccolante, and Tiffany and Bryce Fletcher and the proud great-grandfather of 13. 

 

Leo is survived by his sisters Marie Blake and Nora Kraemer and in-laws Sr. Madeleine Graf and Irene and Joe Sergi. 

 

He will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.  Leo was predeceased by his parents James and Cecelia Deitner, father- and mother in-law Alex and Clara Graf, son Alan Francis Deitner in infancy, sister Margaret and brother-in-law Louis Phelan, sister Kathleen and brother-in-law John McFadden, brothers-in-law George Blake and Bob Kraemer, sisters-in-law Sr. Margaret Graf, Sr. Barbara Graf, Mary Taziar and brothers-in-law Joe Taziar and Willie Graf.

 

Leo was born and raised on the home farm on the 6th of Grey Township. The only son of five children. He attended SS#3 until the age of 14 when he began farming and didn’t stop until he was in his mid-80s. 

 

He married the love of his life and farming companion on Sept. 6, 1958 and then they raised their family through hard work and determination. He spent his later retirement years immersing himself into the lost art of hand-woodworking; carving and whittling for hours on end, creating over 300 finished pieces of tool handles and other projects. He will always be remembered for his love of Allis Chalmers tractors and his fond companionship of dogs. Dad, the chores are done, walk tall.

 

Friends and family are invited for visitation at Riverside Funeral Home (Brussels Chapel) on Friday, Nov. 8 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with prayers at 1:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will take place at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. with Father Tom Donohue officiating. Interment in St. Ambrose Catholic Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Listowel Memorial Hospital (palliative care) or the St. Ambrose Cemetery Board.
Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca