Merril Leroy Leonard Jr. of Allentown died on Jan. 20, 2023.

Born Nov. 6, 1934, in Fayette Township, Juniata County, he was a son of Merril L. Leonard Sr. and Dorothy Mae (Frymoyer) Leonard.

He and his wife, Lois E. (Detra) Leonard, married on July 8, 1956, and celebrated their 66th anniversary this last year.

He spent his younger years hunting the valleys, ridges and mountains of Fayette Township while finishing high school and then graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Penn State in 1956.

He was a division distribution engineer with PP&L Corp. in the Lehigh Valley until his retirement in 1994, affecting in a positive way all of the lives around him.

He continued his love of the outdoors by hunting with family and friends in Pennsylvania and Wyoming, fishing for trout in the Lehigh Valley, and fishing for bass in Ontario.

The magic he placed in the fishing rods he made was simply perfect.

In his later years, he was very well read, interested in many things which he researched and shared. He was truly a knowledgeable man.

He was a member of and usher at St. John’s Evangelical Congregational Church, Allentown.

He particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, talking, playing cards and just generally fooling around.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Bruce and wife, Kathy; daughter Vicki L. Bryant and husband, Mike; and daughter Karen E. Leonard; grandchildren Jessica Leonard, Aric Bryant, Aaron Bryant and wife, Cheyanne, Rachel Bruso and husband, Josh; and great grandchildren Tyler, Kelcy, Madison, and Oliver.

He was predeceased by his grandson Kevin Leonard and granddaughter Becky Leonard.

Services are 2 p.m. Jan. 26 in Stephens Funeral Home Inc. 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown.

Call 1-2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Interment will be at Otterbein UM Church Cemetery, Juniata County, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4309 Linglestown Road, Suite 108, Harrisburg, PA 17112, as his grandchildren Kevin and Becky had that disease.