Leigh Alvin Langkabel

Leigh Alvin Langkabel, age 93 of Plymouth passed away on February 22, 2023.  He was born on June 19, 1929 in Plymouth, Michigan to his parents, the late Jennie (née Conery) and Alvin Langkabel.

Leigh is the beloved and devoted husband of 30 years to the late Ruth Elizabeth (née Fisher) Langkabel who passed away in 1987 and 29 years to the late Amelia (née Bluga) Langkabel. 

He is the loving father of Connie (Jerry) Cole, Joseph (Irene) Langkabel, JoAnn (Kevin) Wilson, Ruthie (Terry) Cole, Leigh J. (Kristi) Langkabel, and Paul Langkabel; proud grandfather of Jessica, Ken, Carrie, Cherie, Brian, Dustin, Kristen, Megan, Samantha, Bridget, Hunter, Dylan, Hayden and Brooklyn; great-grandfather of Quincy, Benjamin, Amelia, Elijah, Austin, Addison, Emily, Owen, Elsie and Layla and two more great-granchildren are on the way. 

He is also deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his sister, Laurene Banta, and his nephew Victor (Joyce) and granddaughter Victoria. 

Leigh proudly served his country from 1951 to 1953 in the United States Army during the Korean War.  After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began employment with Michigan Bell Telephone Company.  He enjoyed a very successful 40-year career as a Switchman with Michigan Bell. He was also the former Secretary and Treasurer of CWA Union Local #4015.

His family tells us how he loved to garden.  He would plant over 80 flats of flowers every year. He would find a special or unusual rock for his garden during every one of his travel destinations and proudly place it in his garden.  He and Amy had visited every State including Alaska and Hawaii in their travel trailer.  Leigh probably knew the State Flower of each State in the U. S. 

Leigh had a special appreciation for nature and found his time in his beautiful garden peaceful and rewarding.  He and Amy also loved international travel and made trips to Europe including Germany and Ireland.  One can’t help but think that a few of his favorite rocks in his garden made the long trip back to the U.S. from some of their European trips.

Florida is Michigan’s favorite winter travel spot for many retirees, and Leigh and Amy were Michigan “Snow Birds” too.   They would travel to their Sunshine State home every year to reap the benefits of a seasonal migration and escape the Michigan winters to enjoy all that the warmth of the Florida sunshine has to offer.  Anyone who knew Leigh, also knew that wherever he went, he would always meet up with someone he knew.

Leigh and Amy also loved to dance, and every Friday they went dancing.  Leigh was a people person.  Going out to dance every Friday brings people together with a sense of community. He was likable and fun-loving and easily met and made lifelong friends wherever he went.  He loved life, and loved his friends and they loved him.  He never had an unkind word or negative thought about anyone.  He saw the good in everyone.  Perhaps for him, life was too short to dislike anyone.

Above all things, Leigh loved his family.   As his children grew and married, his family began to grow larger.  Grandchildren were born and even two great-grandchildren today are on the way.  At the birth of his first grandchild, he experienced a very special moment in his life and gained the special title of grandfather.  He would think of the first time he held his child while holding his first grandchild.  He loved watching them grow and explore their world while learning to walk.  He has a special and unique bond with each of them based on love, fun and pure joy.

For those planning an expression of sympathy and wish to honor the memory of Leigh A. Langkabel, you are invited to consider a contribution to the Plymouth-Ann Arbor Elks Lodge, 41700 East Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth, Michigan 48170.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the grave site in Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth, Monday, March 6, 2023 at 1pm.