Leonard Walter Letke Jr., affectionately known as Len or Lenny, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones May 12, 2025. Born Oct. 27, 1943, in Toledo, Ohio, Len’s life was marked by intelligence, humor and the remarkable ability to fix anything.
A devoted husband, Len shared 60 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Cecelia (“Cece”), who passed away one month later, June 18, 2025. Together, they raised two sons, Steve (Mary Beth) and Andy (Dori), who, along with their spouses and six grandchildren – Andrew, James, Thomas (Anna), Rebecca, Wolfie and Sylvie – carry on his legacy of love and family. He spent many years building LEGOs, babysitting, playing ping pong and vacationing with all the kids and grandkids.
Len is also survived by his siblings, Frank Letke, Kathy Gonella (Greg) and Carolyn Miller (Dan); brother-in-law Ron Floyd (Kay); sisters-in-law Beth Floyd and Vickie Etherton; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Paula Letke and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Victor and Debbie Floyd.
Professionally, Len was a mechanical and manufacturing engineer whose career spanned Baker Brothers Tool and Die and Peter’s Stamping, both in Toledo. His work at DeVilbiss took him from Toledo to Angola, Indiana, where he continued to help raise his family. Len’s engineering experience took him to Bloomington, Indiana, with Otis Elevator and then to Cemco Lift in the Philadelphia area. He and Cece retired in Angola and then Sun City Center, Florida. Known as a jack-of-all-trades, Len approached life’s challenges with ingenuity, humor and an unwavering can-do attitude.
Len’s interests were as varied as his talents. He was an avid fisherman, boater, gardener, games player and Euchre lover who enjoyed science fiction, Sudoku, solving puzzles, watching boxing, playing video games, reading books and sharing jokes. He also gave back to his community by teaching CCD classes at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Angola, helping out his neighbors, and teaching engineering classes to students at Trine University as an adjunct professor.
Those who knew Len will remember him as funny, intelligent and endlessly resourceful – a man who brought laughter, wisdom and joy to everyone around him. His legacy is one of love and generosity. He will be deeply missed.
A celebration of life service for Len and Cece is planned for 10 a.m. Monday, July 21 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Angola, Indiana.
The article originally appeared in the July 10 – 16, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
