Mary Jane Leatz

Mary Jane “Jane” Leatz, 88, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Monday, September, 6, 2021 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 10, at 11 AM at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church 555 E. Delaware St., Benton Harbor, with Father James Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, September 9 from 5 PM until 7 PM with the Rosary being recited at 7 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to SS John & Bernard’s Parish or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jane was born August 27, 1933 to Jerry and Margaret (Yore) Edelberg. She graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School in 1951. On September 29, 1953, Jane married the love of her life, Charles Leatz, at St. John’s Catholic Church. They were happily married for nearly six years before Charles unexpectedly passed away in 1959. She cherished her mother and stepfather, Aaron Weber, who helped her through the loss of her husband and raising her two young daughters. Jane worked at Whirlpool Corp. as an Executive Secretary for 30 years and retired at the age of 57. Although, realizing she wasn’t quite ready to leave the working world she returned to Whirlpool on a part-time basis for another 10 years. She also spent some of her retirement working for Jack Sparks at Jack D. & Fredda S. Sparks Foundation Incorporated. As a cancer survivor, Relay for Life was incredibly important to Jane. She loved going to the event with her daughter, Kathy, and supporting other survivors while paying tribute to those who lost their battle. She was also a proud member of SS John & Bernard Parish. However, what Jane loved the most was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her overly protective attitude towards them proved how much she loved them. She was a wonderful lady who will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Jane is survived by her daughters, Margaret (John) Wycoff of Polk City, FL and Kathleen (John) Paustian of Millburg, MI; grandchildren, Brian (Stacey) Wycoff, Jeremy (Jennifer) Wycoff, and Michele (Dan) Carpenter; great-grandchildren, Madison, Jaren, Layla, & Logan Wycoff, and Eva & Mason Carpenter; many nieces and nephews; and her best lifelong friend, Georgia Sikich