Obituary of Leon Wanzer

Leon Wanzer son of the late Edward and Carrie L. Wanzer was born on July 6, 1919. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Wanzer family relocated to Chesilhurst, NJ in the early 1900s. As a young man, at the age of 17 Leon joined the Civilian Conservative Corps (C.C.C.) in Fort Dix, New Jersey. While in the Corps, Leon spent three years working on various public works projects throughout the State of New Jersey. After leaving the C.C.C., Leon enlisted into the United States Army in which he fought in World War II in the Pacific Theater. Leon continued serving his country in the Army Reserves for two additional years and was honorably discharged in 1949. In 1948, Leon married Elizabeth Covington his wife of 63 years. Leon and Elizabeth made their home in Chesilhurst, NJ where they raised their eight children. In his hometown community, Leon served as Chief of Police of the Chesilhurst Police Department. Leon also worked as a long distance truck driver for various local trucking companies. Leon would eventually become owner/operator of a small trucking business. Leon was a community minded individual who often would use his trucking abilities to mentor several of the young men in the neighborhood helping them to become short and long distance truck drivers. Leon attended Sunday school at Grant A.M.E. Church in Chesilhurst, NJ where his mother Carrie played the piano for over 50 years. He loved to hear and to sing the Gospel spirituals; his favorite Gospel songs were "Precious Lord" and "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". Leon was a strong family man evidenced by the fact that he honored the age old custom of being the first male to enter a house on New Year's Day. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Elizabeth; (5) sons: Edward, Rasheed (Fareedah), Bobby (Grace), Mark (Khadijah), and Wallace; (5) daughters: Barbara (Bill), Patricia, Alvinia, Deborah, and Denise (Eric); (30) grandchildren: Shanan (A. Jamal), Ron (Sarah), Kai, Alia (George), Amirah, Tony (Michelle), Stephanie, Nettie (Darryl), Amir, Atiya, Danyel (Rick), Daniel (Lagena), Juliet (Anthony), Aishia (Armond), Craig, LaBryon, Bjorn, Shemika (Kevin), Bobby Jr., Jamese, and James; (30) great grandchildren: Tyrie, Dior, Rickia, Seionnie, Amare, Isryel, Euvona, Danica, Dannae, Dazmere, Darshae, Taniya, Jasmine,Vanessa, Vernel, Deneshea, David, Olivia, Kory, Keandra, Kevin Jr., Bobbi, Derrick, Markess, Mason, Ali.Jr., Isaiah, Amirah, Charles, and Nasir; and (2) great-great grandchildren: Kaylahni, and Dirinity. His beloved sister Madeline Wanzer Maxwell, 1 brother-in-law, 6 sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Thank you for years of caring. Thank you for years of inspiration.