Obituary for Mary Catherine Leeper
Ronald E. and Mary Catherine Leeper passed away in their Bernville residence on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. In July they would have celebrated 54 years of marriage. Ronald was born to the late John and Naomi Leeper; Mary Catherine was the daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy Eckroat.
Ronald graduated from Ontelaunee High School in 1954 before enlisting in the US Navy. He met Mary Catherine when he walked into the sandwich shop she worked in, and it was love at first sight. They waited to wed until after Mary Catherine graduated from Kutztown with her Teaching certificate. She would later pursue Master’s coursework at Lehigh University.
Mary Catherine taught middle school English at Cocalico and Governor Mifflin School Districts, and she retired from teaching full time in 1971 after the birth of their first child. In the 1980’s she taught Adult GED courses at Wilson School District. Ronald enjoyed over 40 years with R.M. Palmer Company until his retirement in 2006 as the Vice President of Transportation and Logistics.
The Leeper’s gave freely of their time and their resources to their community. Members of St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, Mary Catherine was very involved in social activities for the senior parishioners, serving as a guide and driver for the 75 and older club. Following Ronald’s retirement, they volunteered for Meals on Wheels with Berks Encore.
In their later years, their beloved dogs remained treasured companions. Mary Catherine’s daily ritual involved filling her bird feeders as she loved to bird watch.
Left to treasure Ronald and Mary Catherine’s memory are their sons: Samuel Leeper, husband of Charlene Coyne, of Wexford; Peter Leeper, husband of Sarah, of Londonderry, NH; and Benjamin Leeper, significant other of Kristin Sauer, of St. Petersburg, FL; Mark Leeper, husband of Maureen Bell, of Philadelphia; grandchildren, Brett, Deryck, Drew, Isaac, Jonah, and Veronica Leeper; Ronald’s brother, John “Jack” Leeper; and Mary Catherine’s brother, David Eckroat. They are also survived by their Labradors, Jasmin and Thumper. Mary Catherine was predeceased by her brother, Andrew Eckroat.
Funeral services for Ronald and Mary Catherine will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, 480 Big Spring Road, Robesonia, PA 19551, with interment to follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 390 W Neversink Road, Reading, PA 19606. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Ronald graduated from Ontelaunee High School in 1954 before enlisting in the US Navy. He met Mary Catherine when he walked into the sandwich shop she worked in, and it was love at first sight. They waited to wed until after Mary Catherine graduated from Kutztown with her Teaching certificate. She would later pursue Master’s coursework at Lehigh University.
Mary Catherine taught middle school English at Cocalico and Governor Mifflin School Districts, and she retired from teaching full time in 1971 after the birth of their first child. In the 1980’s she taught Adult GED courses at Wilson School District. Ronald enjoyed over 40 years with R.M. Palmer Company until his retirement in 2006 as the Vice President of Transportation and Logistics.
The Leeper’s gave freely of their time and their resources to their community. Members of St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, Mary Catherine was very involved in social activities for the senior parishioners, serving as a guide and driver for the 75 and older club. Following Ronald’s retirement, they volunteered for Meals on Wheels with Berks Encore.
In their later years, their beloved dogs remained treasured companions. Mary Catherine’s daily ritual involved filling her bird feeders as she loved to bird watch.
Left to treasure Ronald and Mary Catherine’s memory are their sons: Samuel Leeper, husband of Charlene Coyne, of Wexford; Peter Leeper, husband of Sarah, of Londonderry, NH; and Benjamin Leeper, significant other of Kristin Sauer, of St. Petersburg, FL; Mark Leeper, husband of Maureen Bell, of Philadelphia; grandchildren, Brett, Deryck, Drew, Isaac, Jonah, and Veronica Leeper; Ronald’s brother, John “Jack” Leeper; and Mary Catherine’s brother, David Eckroat. They are also survived by their Labradors, Jasmin and Thumper. Mary Catherine was predeceased by her brother, Andrew Eckroat.
Funeral services for Ronald and Mary Catherine will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, 480 Big Spring Road, Robesonia, PA 19551, with interment to follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 390 W Neversink Road, Reading, PA 19606. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.