James Reid Leard, age 96, of Adrian went to be with his heavenly father on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, at Armstrong County Health Center with his loving family at his side.

He was born on Sept. 30, 1920, in Tarrtown to Joseph E. and Anna Sophia (Wyant) Leard and was a lifelong resident of the community.

Jim first worked at Linde Aire before going to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation from where he retired on Oct. 5, 1984.

When Jim was a young boy he worked at his father’s store, Fairlawn Groceries and Meats in Tarrtown.

He was a long-time member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Adrian.

He honorably served his country in World War II in the Army Air Corps. Sgt. Leard returned from Italy after 17 months service in the Mediterranean Theater as a radio operator on a C-47 Troop Carrier plane. He served with the 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group, 51st Wing Air Corps and compiled 800 hours of operational flying during 40 combat missions. He earned an Air Medal, the ENAME Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Five Battle Stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.

Jim always planted a large garden, and mowed his grass along with his neighbor’s until age 90. He loved picking apples on his birthday at his daughter, Dianna’s and sonin law Bud’s house.

Survivors include two daughters, Deborah Brown (husband Dan) of Renfrew and Dianna Wolfe (husband Veryl) of Kittanning; two granddaughters, Jennifer Goldinger (husband Jeffrey of Saxonburg and Jocelyn Cilik (husband Ivan) of Cranberry Township; two grandsons, Jonathan Brown (wife Leah) of Kittanning and Joshua Wolfe (wife Alicia) of Elderton; six great-grandchildren, Ana, Elyse, and Andrew Cilik, Jacob and Lucas Goldinger, and Taylar Wolfe; and one sister, Mary Elder of Cabot.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 65 years, Mildred Leard on July 25, 2011; one brother, Finley A. Leard; one sister, Ruth Quinn; two brothers-in-law, Fred Quinn and Bernard Elder; and one sister-in-law, Mildred Leard.

Friends will be received from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 200 S. McKean St., Kittanning. Additional viewing will be held from 10 a.m. Thursday until time of funeral services at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 280 St. Mark’s Road, Adrian with the Rev. Carl Johnson offi- ciating. Interment will be in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.

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