Larry Emil Leininger

Beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa

Larry Emil Leininger, lovingly known as Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on February 6, 1937, and spent his later years in Destin, Florida—a place that suited his calm spirit and appreciation for life's simple, beautiful moments.

Larry's life was defined not by titles or accolades, but by love—steady, unwavering, and enduring. For 71 remarkable years, he shared a once-in-a-lifetime love story with his wife, Phyllis Libbee Leininger. Their marriage was the kind people hope for and rarely witness, a love that mirrored the devotion and tenderness portrayed in the sweetest of all love stories. They were inseparable partners, best friends, and each other's safe place. To know Larry was to know how deeply and completely he loved his bride.

A devoted family man, Larry found his greatest joy in being surrounded by those he loved. He was a steady presence—quietly strong, dependable, and kind. He showed his love not through grand gestures, but through consistency, loyalty, and simply always being there. His family knew they could count on him, no matter the circumstance.

For many years, Larry owned and operated Leininger Grain Co. in Maplewood, Ohio, building a life rooted in hard work, integrity, and commitment. But beyond his work, Larry had a heart that was always in motion. He loved running, and he ran with determination and joy—completing 13 marathons, including three Boston Marathons. Even when his knees would no longer allow him to run, Larry didn't stop moving forward. Instead, he and Phyllis moved to Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, where he took up biking and quickly fell in love with the mountains.

The Blue Ridge Mountains became a second home to Larry's spirit. He spent thousands of miles biking the roads, hills, turns, and breathtaking views of that landscape—soaking in the beauty, the quiet, and the freedom of the ride. Those miles were more than exercise; they were joy, peace, and gratitude lived out on the open road.

Larry's hands were also a gift. He was a talented woodworker who poured his heart into every piece he created. His workshop was his place of peace and solitude—but also a magical place for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was a place where little hands dug through scraps, where laughter lived alongside sawdust, and where Grandpa patiently helped build one-of-a-kind masterpieces that only those present in that moment could truly understand.

The family's homes and hearts are filled with his craftsmanship: furniture, wine cabinets, quilt racks, and so much more. He welcomed new grandbabies into the world by building their first cradle, celebrated them as toddlers with custom name trains, doll furniture, toy boxes, and special treasures that truly shaped childhood memories.

And in the sweetest detail of all, Larry also created decorative wooden geese and wooden bunnies, lovingly displayed and dressed in custom seasonal outfits that were handmade with love by Phyllis. These projects (along with so many others) perfectly reflect the warmth, creativity, and partnership that defined their home, their relationship, and their love for one another. Together, they turned ordinary objects into something special. His work will not only be on forever display in the homes of family and friends, but it will be loved and cherished for generations.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd O. Leininger; his mother, Mary I. Leininger; and his sister, Shirley Leininger Stengel.

He leaves behind his cherished wife, Phyllis Libbee Leininger; his son, G. Scott Leininger (Kimberly); and his daughter, Denise Leininger McCracken (Rod). He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Laura Jo Roberts(Shawn), Aaron McCracken (Ally), Robbie Leininger (Georgina), Adam McCracken, Katy A. Short (Weston), Brittany Wells (Michael), Rebecca Bruno, and Vincent Bruno. His legacy continues through his fourteen great-grandchildren: Dylan, Gannon, Jacob, Elle, Scottlyn, Landry, Cooper, Zoe, Bennett, Eleni, Leyton, Chase, Cale, and Chaney—each one a source of immense pride and joy.

Larry's life was a lesson in commitment, humility, and love lived out loud through actions rather than words. He taught his family what it means to show up, to stay, and to love faithfully through every season of life. And through the beautiful pieces he created with his own hands, the family is reminded that he is not truly gone—he is simply here in a different way. His legacy lives in every story told, every tradition carried forward, every mountain road remembered, and every handmade piece that remains as a lasting reminder of the man who loved them so well.

Above all else, Larry will be remembered as a man who loved well—and who was deeply, profoundly loved in return.