Leland L. Etzler, 78, of Woodburn, Indiana passed away Sunday afternoon, September 2, 2018 at Parkview Hospital – Randallia in Fort Wayne.
He was born on February 26, 1940 in Decatur, Indiana to Ralph & Pearl (Lare) Etzler. While Leland was teaching at Woodlan High School, he met a young woman named Gayle Robinson. They were united in marriage on August 6, 1966 in Sparta, Michigan.
He was a member of Woodburn Missionary Church where he sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the National Education Association; Indiana State Teachers Association; East Allen Educators Association; and the Indiana Football Coaches Association. He also served on the East Allen County School Board. In 2001, he was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
Leland was a 1958 graduate of the Monroeville High School. Following his graduation, he enrolled and graduated from the Ball State Teachers College in 1962 with a B.S. in Education and a Masters of Arts in Education in 1966. Leland began as a math and physics teacher in the East Allen County School district at Woodlan High School before becoming a guidance counselor. While at Woodlan, he was the longtime football coach for the high school for 40 years and was actively involved in anything related to football. In his spare time, he was also the former owner / operator of the Dairy Sweet in Woodburn.
Leland was the most honest, trustworthy, and humble person, always taking an interest in helping others.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gayle Etzler of Woodburn; two daughters, Lyn A. (David) Randall & Kam Etzler both of Woodburn; two sons, Lee (LeeAnn) Etzler of Fort Wayne, & son, Zac (Hayley) Etzler of New Haven; sister, Colleen (Loren) Grabner of Monroeville; sister-in-law, Gretchen Etzler of Napoleon, OH; & eight grandchildren, Payton Spencer, Morgan Spencer, Lauren Etzler, Brandon Etzler, Gavin Etzler, Reggie Randall, Adrienne Etzler, and Avery Etzler.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry Etzler.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2018, at Woodburn Missionary Church located at 5108 Bull Rapids Road in Woodburn with Pastor Bert Jones officiating.
Family & friends will be received from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Woodburn Missionary Church and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to services Friday also at the church.
Preferred memorials are to Woodburn Missionary Church or Parkview Hospice.
Leland lived on this earth for 28,671 days “Don’t count the days, make the days count”.
CONDOLENCES: For complete obituary information and to sign the on-line guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.
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Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville, IN 260-623-3279
