John J. Leyda Sr., 70, of Fallowfield Township, died Thursday, May 28, 1998, in Mon Valley Hospital. Mr. Leyda attended St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Charleroi and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He retired from the coke plant of the former Monessen plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. Mr. Leyda was past commander and a life member of VFW Post 167 of Charleroi, the American Legion Post 22 of Charleroi, Mid Mon Valley Shipmates, life member and past chief and board member of Fallowfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, life member of Scotland School for Veterans' Children. He was also a member of Washington County Fireman's Association and Southwestern Pennsylvania Fire Chiefs Association, member of Odd Fellow Lodge 1030 of Charleroi and S&AM Lodge 615 of Charleroi, member of 32nd Degree Mason, member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rites, member of Charleroi Sportsman's Association and Fallowfield Township Veterans Honor Roll Committee and member of Charleroi Area Elementary and Middle School PTAs. Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Madeline Dragone Leyda; a son, John (Jack) Leyda Jr. of Charleroi; a daughter, Susan Gonzales of Norwalk, Conn.; a brother, Edward S. Leyda of Charleroi; three sisters, Ellen Lancaster of Bentleyville, Minnie Griffith of Monongahela and Mary Morello of Newton Falls, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased is a brother, Lewis G. Leyda, who died in 1954. Copyright ©1998 Observer Publishing Co.Last updated Saturday, May 30, 1998John J. Leyda Sr.
WW II veteran past chief of Fallowfield firemen
He was born March 12, 1928, in Charleroi, a son of John N. and Susiellen Marker Leyda.