John Leonell

SHELBY – Mr. John H. Leonell, 90, of 2925 Lake Dr., died Sat., June 22, 2013 at his home. A native of Fayette County, PA, he was the son of the late John and Mary Malaska Leonell. He served in the Army Air Force where he was a navigator and co-pilot. He flew the B-24 bomer and the C-87 aerial tanker. He was awarded the Air Metal, Oak Leaf Cluster, and Presidential Commendation from Harry Truman. John was a flight test engineer at Cape Canaveral, moved to Shelby in 1970, where he later retired from PPG. He was a member of Shelby Presbyterian Church.

PRECEDED: In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Betty Hobbs Leonell.

SURVIVED: He is survived by his daughter, Angela Jean Leonell of Shelby; son, Jeff Leonell of Kings Mountain; grandson, John Christopher Leonell of Kings Mountain; sister, Viola Comiskey of PA; niece, Sheila Ann Dewberry and her husband Mark, and their son Trent of GA; and a special thank you to Annette McCarver, of Shelby, for all her love and care she has extended to John.

SERVICES: 2PM, Wednesday, at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home Chapel

VISITATION: The family will receive friends following the service, at the funeral home.

CLERGY: Dr. Luke Harkey

MEMORIALS: Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Dr., Shelby, NC 28150 or Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 E. Graham St., Shelby, NC 28150

FUNERAL HOME: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby