The following Leasure obituary appeared in todays issue of the Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, MD) newspaper. Since he was born in Cumberland, I am passing this on because there may be a connection for a Leasure researcher. [1]Bernard DeSeal Leasure APRIL 24, 1921-OCT. 10, 2010 ST. JAMES - Bernard DeSeal Leasure, of St. James, Md., went to be with the Lord on Oct. 10, 2010, after a long and exemplary life. He was born in Cumberland, Md., on April 24, 1921, to Virginia Whorton Leasure and Harry Leasure. He graduated from Morgantown High School in 1940. He then fought in the Army during World War II in the China-Burma-India Theater, from 1942 to 1945. He served as a combat engineer in the 209th Battalion of the prestigious Merrill's Marauders in Myitkyina, Burma, assisting in the building of the Ledo Road, a strategic supply route for the Western Allies. In this capacity, his unit was often called upon to defend their position in order to continue the project, and he survived a protracted firefight in a foxhole, utilizing keen shooting and characteristic patience. His battalion was the most decorated in Myitkyina, a place that saw significant action. After the war ended, he met his wife, M. June Summerfield Leasure, of Cumberland, while working at the Celanese Corp. He also became a devout Christian. He graduated from Bob Jones University and from Western Carolina Teachers College. He taught high school English in various schools in Washington County. While teaching, he also established a driving school, Leasure's Driving School, to provide instruction for students outside the school system. He was concerned with special populations, such as recent widows who needed to learn how to drive, and was sensitive to the cultural mores of the Mennonite community. He was a church planter, deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of Evangel Baptist Church in Hagerstown. He loved adventure and travel, so after retirement and raising his family, he and his wife traveled to all 50 states. Bernard is survived by his wife of 63 years, June Leasure, and four children: Yvonne, Mark and Beth, in the Tri-State area; and Jon, in Idaho. He is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was most beloved for his faithfulness, fight and teaching gifts. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown MD 21740. The Rev. Ron Faith will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Reception will follow at Evangel Baptist Church. Graveside military honors will be conducted by Washington County AMVETS Post 10 and Marine Corps League of Hagerstown. Online condolences are accepted at [2]www.minnichfh.com. References 1. http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=254602&format=html 2. http://www.minnichfh.com/