Donald E. “Nummy” Leader, 65, of 223 Cushing Avenue, Johnsonburg, PA passed away suddenly while caring for his mother-in-law’s home.

Donny was born in Ridgway on July 24, 1957, a son to the late Eugene and Hallie Sue Ener Leader. On November 17, 1989 in Johnsonburg, he married Betsy Thiry and she survives. 

A lifelong resident of Johnsonburg, Donny was a 1975 graduate of Johnsonburg Are High School. He was a member of the Johnsonburg Elks Lodge 612 and Central Hose Co. Nummy loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and anything with four legs.

He also enjoyed spending time with his extended family at “the garage” where he spent a great deal of his free time and eagerly awaited someone to drop off a project for him to tinker on. He was an avid collector, amassing collections of pocket watches, knives and guns.

Upon his retirement from Domtar in 2014 after 38 years of service, he furthered his passion for being a maintenance mechanic and was always tinkering and repairing everything from toys and watches to cars and trucks. Donald was a mechanic by trade and a jack of all things for pleasure. There wasn’t a thing that had wheels or ran on fuel that he couldn’t fix. Even though a failing heart took him away from this world, his loving heart will leave an everlasting impression on his family and friends. 

Donny is survived by his wife Betsy at home, his children; Cory Leader of Pittsburgh, Angel, Mrs. Joe Fritz of St. Marys, Chad Leader and his wife Annie of Ridgway and Donny Leader and his companion Thea Distler of St. Marys and his grandchildren; Isaac and Halle Fritz and Benjamin and Lottie Mae Leader. He is also survived by sisters Linda, Mrs. John Tile of York and Mary Ann Myers of Rasselas and a brother Dave Leader and his wife Jeannine of Johnsonburg, several nieces and nephews and his beloved pets. 

In addition to his parents, Donny is predeceased by a brother Tommy Leader, his mother-in-law Ellen E. Evans just this past Friday and is now working on cars again with his best friend, Scott Horchen. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald “Nummy” Leader, in conjunction with the celebration for his mother-in-law Ellen E. Evans, will be conducted at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg on Tuesday July 18, 2023 at 10 AM with Fr. Wilson, Pastor as celebrant. A celebration of life will immediately follow at Horchen’s Garage, 1275 Bendigo Rd., Johnsonburg. 

Arrangements are under direction of the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg. 

If desired, memorial contributions can be made in his honor to the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 East Eschbach Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation at givetochildrens.org