John Joseph Leitschuh, 73, of Litchfield, died on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, located at 705 E. Main St. in Mt. Olive. Father Michael Haag will preside. Immediately following the Mass, a luncheon and visitation will be held at the parish center. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, located at 1700 E. Route 16 in Litchfield. Plummer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Mr. Leitschuh was born in Litchfield, a son of Joseph Frederick and Maxine Rose (Spudick) Leitschuh. After graduation from Mt. Olive High School with the class of 1970, he proudly served his country with the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed in Korea.
On Dec. 9, 1972, he and the former Mary Ann Millburg were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Litchfield. They enjoyed nearly 54 years of marriage.
He had a 42 year career as a coal miner with Freeman United Coal in Farmersville and had also been employed by Consolidated Coal in Coffeen for several years. He was a member of St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Mt. Olive and held memberships with the UMWA and the Mt. Olive VFW Post. His many interests included horseshoe pitching, rides through the countryside, hunting, taking vacations to Bennett Springs State Park for trout fishing and in his younger years, playing softball. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and enjoyed a cold Bud Light.
Mr. Leitschuh is survived by his mother, Maxine Leitschuh of Mt. Olive; wife, Mary Ann Leitschuh of Litchfield; daughter, Jamie Leitschuh (Tim Erikson) of Winter Garden, FL; daughter-in-law, Denelle “Dee” Leitschuh of Litchfield; grandsons, Matthew Leitschuh and Zachary Leitschuh, both of Litchfield; brothers, George Leitschuh of Modesto and David (Janet Osmoe) of Mt. Olive; sister, JoAnn (Dennis) Baum of Mt. Olive; brother-in-law, Gerald (Carol) Millburg of Litchfield; sister-in-law, Janet (Rex) Stauffer of Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Leitschuh and son, Brian John Leitschuh.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John Paul II Catholic Church, 705 E. Main St., Mt. Olive, IL, 62069 or to Holy Cross Cemetery c/o Holy Family Catholic Church Parish Office, 411 S. Jackson St., Litchfield, IL 62056.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
