SMSgt (retired) Jeffrey Michael Leitschuh, 58, died due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was diagnosed Aug. 1, 2024.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 24, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton.
Mr. Leitschuh was born July 27, 1968, in Belleville and died Aug. 19, 2026, at home near New Douglas with his wife and children around him. He married Joelle Prosser on May 22, 1987, in Staunton.
He graduated from Staunton High School in 1986. On July 23, 1986, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force where he proudly served for 26 years as a Munitions Systems Specialist (AMMO - 461x0/2W0X1). He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant on Aug. 1, 2012. While in the Air Force he earned the following certifications: Associate in Applied Science for Instructor of Technology and Military Science in 1992, Associate in Munitions System Technology in 1994 and Bachelor of Environmental Studies with honors from the American Military University in 2011.
Mr. Leitschuh was known as “Shoe” or “Ammoshoe” during his time in the Air Force. He and his family feel very fortunate that they were able to be stationed around the world at the following bases: Kadena AB in Okinawa, Japan, from 1986 to 1989; Lowry AFB in Denver, CO, from 1989 to 1994; Osan AB in Osan, South Korea, from 1994 to 1995; Cannon AFB in Clovis, NM, from 1995 to 1997; Misawa AB in Misawa, Japan, from 1997 to 2001; Aviano AB in Aviano, Italy, from 2001 to 2004; Andersen AFB in Yigo, Guam, from 2004 to 2007; Randolph AFB in San Antonio, TX, from 2007 to 2009; and Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base in Pearl Harbor, HI, from 2009 to 2012. Before retiring, he was hired by the U.S. Army at Scott AFB as a civilian from May 2012 to Aug. 2025, when he was forced to retire due to ALS.
He was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, golfing and softball. He was proud of his scuba training. He became certified as an Open Water Diver in 1988, following with specialty courses in 1989 in Advanced Open Water; Night Diver; Deep Diver; Research Diver; Underwater Navigator; Rescue Diver; Padi First Aid Medic; and Master Scuba Diver. As a Master Scuba Diver, he was able to assist the classes that his kids attend to receive their certification. In 2005, he finally obtained Dive Master for Padi. He took his last dive class in 2025, becoming a Computer Nitrox Diver for his last dive trip to Cozumel, Mexico, with LifeWaters.
Mr. Leitschuh is survived his wife, Joelle (Prosser) Leitschuh; his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Zach Leuenberger of Staunton; his son and daughter-in-law, TSgt Aaron and Warisara Leitschuh of Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX; his mother, Joyce (Pernicka) Leitschuh of Staunton; his father, George Leitschuh of Modesto; his grandmother, Maxine (Spudick) Leitschuh of Mt. Olive; his brothers, Scott (Liz) Leitschuh of Troy, Joe (Tonya) Leitschuh of Weldon, and Bob (Nikol) Leitschuh of Litchfield; his in-laws, Jerry and Debbie Prosser of Staunton; his sisters-in-law, Jill (Chris) Gorenz of Alhambra and Jennifer Huber of Staunton; his ever ready bird hunting house dog, Jasmin Colt; his grandcritters, Addelina and Bennett Leuenberger, and Liam, Finn, and Hazel Leitschuh; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Marge (Krechnyak) Pernicka and Joe Leitschuh; and his loving loyal dogs, Spunky, Remington Hunter and Jack Browning.
The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the following: ALS Caregivers LLC, PO Box 212, Waterloo, IL 62298, Paralyzed Veterans of St. Louis (Gateway), Gateway Chapter, 1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, or Team Gleason Foundation, A Resource for People with ALS, 1450 Poydras St., Suite 2550, New Orleans, LA 70112.
To leave online condolences, visit www.williamsonfh.com
