John T. Leathers, 87, of Amherst died Saturday, December 24, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.  Memorial Services will be Friday, December 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney with Rev. Dean Pofahl officiating.  Burial will follow at Stanley Cemetery near Amherst with Military rites provided by the Miller American Legion Post #351 and the U.S. Air Force Military Honors Team.  There will be no visitation.  Memorials are suggested to the Amherst Rescue Squad or to the family for designation later.  A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com.  Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

John was born on November 8, 1924 in Vinita, OK to Albert Harrison and Lula May (Woolman) Leathers.  The family moved to Amherst in the year 1930.  John graduated from Amherst High School in 1943.  He was drafted in June 1943 to the Army Air Corps.  He was stationed in the South Pacific Islands Theater.  He was a blister gunner on B-29 and B-28 bombers.  He was honorably discharged in 1946.  He married Helyn Haynes in Kensington, KS on July 12, 1953.  John worked for the Bureau of Reclamation from 1946 to 1968 when he was transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers.  He retired in 1979 with a medical disability.  He was a member of the Loup City V.F.W. Post #7027.  John enjoyed spending time with family.  He was the ultimate handyman capable of building just about anything from conception to finished product.  He loved to fix children’s toys and bicycles.  John will always be remembered by his family and those in the community as an avid gardener.

Surviving Relatives:

Wife----------------------------------Helyn Leathers, of Amherst

Son-----------------------------------William Leathers, of Amherst

Daughters--------------------------Coni Rinaker, of Kearney

                                                 Kathy and Errol Coslor, of Kearney

                                                 Sandy and Mark Palu, of Kearney

Brother-----------------------------Frank and Marge Leathers, of Topeka, KS

Grandchildren--------------------Ryan Palu and Fiance Chelsie Ahrens, of Gibbon

                                                Brad Palu, of Kearney

                                                Erika and Brian Smith, of Kearney

                                                Brandon Coslor, of Omaha

                                                Courtney Coslor, of Omaha

                                                Kendra Coslor, of Kearney

Great Grandchildren-----------Chole and Lilly Smith, of Kearney

                                               Hannah Ahrens, of Gibbon

John was preceded in death by his Parents, 3 Brothers and 2 Sisters.