Howard Leuthen, 84, a resident of Parkville, MO passed away on Monday, July 2, 2018. Howard was born June 20, 1934 to John E. and Leona B. (Mueller) Leuthen in Eugene, MO.
Howard attended Eugene High School and was a member of Hickory Hill Baptist Church. After working briefly for General Motors, he worked at TWA from September of 1953 to November 1956 when he joined the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command, serving until June of 1960. After returning home from the military he continued to work at TWA until his retirement in February 2000.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. A member of Park Hill Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO from 1960 – 2018 and held various offices including: Sunday School Teacher, Ordained Deacon, Deacon Emeritus. He also served on various committees.
Howard loved picking gospel and bluegrass music on his guitar and hosted regular jam sessions for family and friends.
He was preceded in death by both parents, an infant sister, Jewell Leuthen, and two brothers: Vernon Leuthen and Reginald Leuthen. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ruby Leuthen; two daughters: Valeska Reynolds (Mark) of Kansas City, MO and Vonda S. Brown (Tony) of Winston-Salem, N.C.; eight grandchildren: David Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds, Joshua Thompson, Kristen Sims, Walker Brown, Jesse Brown, Aaron Reynolds and Rachel Brown; seven great-grandchildren: Jesse Reynolds, Sean Reynolds, Kara Reynolds, Elijah Reynolds, Bennett Brown, Pepper Sims and Harper Brown.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 5, 2018 at Park Hill Baptist Church. A Memorial Service celebrating Howard’s life will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. David Overman officiating. Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2018 at the Hickory Hill Cemetery near Eugene, MO. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to Park Hill Baptist Church. Memories of Howard and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
I’ve only been with Park Hill Baptist Church for 3 years I’ve grown to Love Ruby and her husband Howard I pray that the Lord is wrapped his arms around him and he is finally in peace
Oh, My, How you will be missed, your smile, your laugh, your toothpick, Haha. But I know you are getting a great reward from our Father and Peace and love from our Savior. Your have left quite a legacy in your life and in your children. Well done, good and faithful servant of God. Our Prayers are with you Ruby, May you be nestled in the wings of the angels and showered with love and Peace. I am so sorry for your loss sweet lady. The 2 of you were a blessing. God Bless You! We love you!
Vonda, Mrs. Ruby, Valaska and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers! Praying for peace and comfort through the coming days! Howard was such a nice man! I’m thankful to have met him! He was very kind! Much love! Teressa Vannoy Goss
I went to Park Hill Baptist over 15 years ago, but Howard was a guy I trully respected. He loved the Lord and his family. My heart is sad today for Ruby and their family.
My thoughts and prayers for a God fearing family. Howard and Ruby spent many weekends in our home, Howard now has a better home than we can imagine, we will visit him in his new home someday love to all
Ruby,Valaska,Vonda,& family.
God bless all as our Lord comforts you in this time of loss.
Many good memories we shared together @ PHBC.
I am a better man, husband, father, & grandfather because Howard crossed my path.
Larry & Deanna DeLong
Praying for God’ s comfort and strength for the whole family.
I’ve known Howard since I was in the third grade. What a wonderful Christian man! He truly walked what he talked. I’ll always remember his tooth pick and how he always greeted me with “Well, how are ya’ runt?!” May the Lord be especially close to Ruby, Valeska, Vonda and the rest of the family during this difficult time.
We don’t cross paths with many like Howard in this life. He and Ruby were such kind and caring friends of ours at a very special time in our lives. Our grief is real but so is the joy of knowing Howard is playing his guitar in the presence of our Lord. We pray that Ruby and the whole family will sense Gods care and peace in the coming days.
Ruby, Valeska and Vonda I am so sorry for your loss. Park Hill won’t be the same without him. But he told me many times that he was ready to go home. I know we will see him again in Glory.
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem so the Lord surrounds Ruby and the Leuthen family.” Psalm 125:2 I ha Howard and Ruby were young adult when I was growing up at Park Hill Baptist Church. Great memories. Dear friends of our family and wonderful witnesses of faith in Christ Jesus.
You all are in our prayers.
Howard was the heart and soul of Park Hill Baptist Church. He may be gone to his reward but will certainly live on in our memories. Peace onto you brother.
Valeska and family; my heart is heavy with your loss. Rest well knowing that he is with our father in heaven and will live forever in your hearts.
With Deepest Sympathy, your loved-one (Mr. Howard Leuthen) was an amazing person, and I know you all feel privileged to have known him. I know the family and his friends will miss him deeply, but God has called him home and now he is where we all hope to go, which is heaven and this is a honor and a great place to be when we leave this world. He lived a long life of 84 years and that is blessing within itself. I’ll be keeping you Valeska and your family in my thoughts and prayers by asking God to give you all strength and comfort each day.
Pennie and I were shocked like everybody else when we heard about Howard, but, while we grieve with Ruby and all the family, we are comforted by the certainty of God’s promise that we will hear him play and sing again!
Howard was a real hero to generations of young Christians, particularly young Christian boys and men. My friends and I who grew up at Park Hill looked up to Howard as a man who loved the Lord and we all wanted to be like him. We admired his physical strength, but his spiritual strength and witness were of much greater value in helping many of us in our faith walks.
We are in prayer for the family.
So Sorry Valeska for you loss, my prayers are with you and your family and church family during this time of loss.
Our hearts go out to you Ruby, Vonda, Valeska and the entire Leuthen family. My Dad (who just recently passed away) considered Howard to be a good friend, as they went on hunting trips and worked together at Park Hill Baptist Church. Howard was a pillar in the church and would do anything for anyone… an amazing man! May God bless you and keep you in your grief and celebration of a life well lived. Jim Cox and Joanne Cox
Valeska, Thinking of you during this time of sorrow. Saying goodbye to someone you love is heartbreaking. May you find comfort in all the special memories shared with your Dad.
Ruby
Was shocked to hear about Howard ‘s death. Sorry I couldn’t come down for services. Know my prayers are with you and my heart is heavy for you and your family.
Valeska, Praying for you and your family.