HARRISON — Rev. Henry W. Leino, 89, of Harrison, died Oct. 31, 2014, at his home.
He was born in Harrison on Nov. 28, 1924, the son of John and Hilda Leino. He faithfully served his country in the 15th Air Force (as part of the U.S. Army Air Forces), serving in WWII as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber, flying 50 missions. He received the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Distinguished Unit Citation.
He graduated from Suomi Theological Seminary and was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church in June of 1953. He married Miriam E. Suorsa of New Castle, Penn., on September 5, 1953. He then served Trinity Lutheran in Thomaston, Lake Shore Parish in Chassel, Mich., St. Paul Lutheran in Fitchburg, Mass., Zion Lutheran in Fairport, Ohio, Gloria Dei in Brooklyn, N.Y., and St. John’s Lutheran in Middletown, N.Y., after which he retired back home to Harrison. In his retirement he never stopped preaching and serving.
He is survived by his wife Miriam of Harrison; two sons, Mark and his wife Mari of Lewiston, and Gerald and his wife Miriam of Newburgh, N.Y.; three daughters, Karen and husband Dana Carlson of New Gloucester, Mary and husband Philip Mahder of Hillsboro, Mo., and Diane and husband Mark Lopez of Lewiston; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Harold and Walter, both of Harrison; three sisters, Lila Butterfield of West Paris, Eila Makey of Stow, Mass., and Martha Leino of Harrison. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Matti, Arne, Lauri, Eugene, Arthur and Bruno; and his sisters Helmi Leino and Lempi Heath.
Family and friends may call at the Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris, Friday, Nov. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 34 Buckfield Rd., South Paris, with interment in Harrison Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial gifts in his memory may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com