Neil G. Leuschen Obituary (1935 - 2016)

Cornelius G. "Neil" Leuschen, age 80, of Millcreek Twp., passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, August 6, 2016. He was born in Erie on November 11, 1935, a son of the late Cornelius J. and Jessie (Allen) Leuschen. Neil grew up in Millcreek and was a graduate of McDowell High School where he pitched for the baseball team. On May 17, 1958, he married the love of his life, Carol M. Freiwald, who survives. He was employed for many years by the former Love & Busek Building and Construction Company. Later he went into business on his own with the founding of Leuschen Remodeling and was successful at building a great reputation for quality craftsmanship. In his own woodworking shop, Neil enjoyed creating numerous pieces of furniture, birdhouses and other treasured gifts for his family and friends. Neil was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Church. In addition to woodworking, he also enjoyed hunting, playing cards and board games and was also a diehard fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns. You could always find Neil in the crowd cheering on his grandchildren at their various ball games. He was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Leuschen Hayes; one brother, William Leuschen; two grandchildren: Melissa Rene Leuschen and Stephanie Elizabeth Siggia and one brother-in-law, Gary Freiwald. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Carol M. Freiwald Leuschen; four children: Daniel Leuschen and his wife Sue (Humphrey), Kevin Leuschen and his wife Patty (Presutti), Brian Leuschen and his wife June (Graziano) and Darcie Siggia; eight grandchildren: Adam (Traci), Eric, Lauren, Brett, Kristen, Kara and Kaitlin Leuschen and Elizabeth Siggia; one sister, Patti Eck (Richard) of Ohio; one brother, Albert Leuschen (Angel) of California; one sister-in-law, Sherry Freiwald of Maryland; three brothers-in-law: Albert "Al" Hayes (Betty) of Ohio, Karl Freiwald (Carol) of Erie and Ronald Freiwald of North Carolina and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., on Tuesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service there on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Jude the Apostle Church at 1:00 p.m. Neil will be entombed in the Holy Family Mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children or to Regional Home Health and Hospice.