James Raymond Leistra

Mr. Leistra passed away Feb. 2, 2008, in Mineola at the age of 72. He was born July 12, 1935, to the late William and Alma Hannah Blum Leistra, and had lived in Mineola 10 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and retired from Factory Mutual Engineering. He served on the board of directors of Mineola Civic Center and Lake Country Playhouse. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was preceded in death by daughter, Debbie Lynn Guard. He is survived by son, Derek Leistra and wife Deborah of Crestline, California; daughter, Dana McElroy, Bartlesville, Oklahoma; brother, John Robert Leistra and wife Dorothy of San Antonio; sister, Janice Ruth Faire of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Jennifer Schnelle, January Viel and Brent Leistra; two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Ryan Schnelle; and nieces and nephews.