Final Salute

Leon George Koeplinger of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Leon George Koeplinger, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at St. Charles Union Court Assisted Living at the age of 100 years. Leon was born May 16, 1925, to Henry and Florence (Rux) Koeplinger in Saginaw, Michigan. He lost his father in 1929 and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Walter Midcalf.

He attended Arthur Hill Tech in Saginaw but dropped out to help support his family. Leon later joined the United State Navy Seabees in 1943. He served in the Pacific front during World War II, was discharged in March of 1946, and returned home to his job at the City of Saginaw Municipal garage.

Leon married Marion Louise Gedel on May 3, 1947, she predeceased him on March 15, 2012. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Leon built his home in Saginaw and a cottage on Little Long Lake in Hale, Michigan. After retiring in 1982, he and Marion enjoyed traveling around the country.

Leon kept himself busy by doing home repairs, walking daily in his neighborhood, and meeting a group of buddies for breakfast at Burger King. After a bout with COVID in 2022, he decided to move into Union Court in 2023, where he made many new friends.

Surviving are one son and one daughter and their spouses: Larry (Gloria) Koeplinger, and Linda (Gary) Orr, a special daughter-in-law, Barbara (Chuck) Lilienthal; four grandchildren: Chad Koeplinger, Thomas Orr, Crystal Kennedy, and Marilyn Koeplinger; two great-grandchildren: April Carr and Gavin Kennedy; and a special friend, Randy Ader.

He was preceded in death by a son, Leon Kenneth Koeplinger; five sisters: Cora (Koeplinger) Pretzer, Joyce (Koeplinger) Andrus, Geraldine (Midcalf) Schultz, Joann (Midcalf) Wellman, Judy (Midcalf) Stutesman; and three brothers: Walter, Robert, and Dale Midcalf.

A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Road, Saginaw, MI 48609. The Rev. Susan C. Rich will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral chapel on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. John’s Episcopal Church or St. Charles Union Court – Activity Fund. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.
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