Marjorie Irene Leininger, 87, a former resident of Fort Wayne and widow of Ted L. Leininger, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at the home of her daughter following an extended illness.

Mrs. Leininger was born on March 31, 1928, in Akron, a daughter of Granville and Esther (Harris) Dawson, and moved to Huntertown as a child with her parents. She graduated from Huntertown High School in 1946 and was married in Fort Wayne on April 21, 1952, to Ted L. Leininger. She spent all of her adult life in Fort Wayne until moving to live with her daughter in Churubusco three and one half years ago.

Employed at the former Bordon Dairy in Fort Wayne for 13 years, she worked as a school bus driver for special needs children for Fort Wayne Community Schools for 30 years, retiring in 2006.

She was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne and served as a volunteer for the Embassy Theater and the Red Cross. In her leisure time she enjoyed square dancing, roller skating, playing tennis and golf, and walking. Most importantly she loved and cherished her family.

Mr. Leininger preceded her in death on Feb. 14, 1996.

The surviving relatives include her four children: Carla (Scott) Gardner, Plymouth, Mich.; Marc Leininger, LeLand, Fla.; Brett Leininger, Noblesville; and Debbie (Dan) Comparet, Churubusco, with whom she made her home; six grandchildren: Eric Walton; Donica (Garry) Lopez; Jessica (Jeff) Felton; Audrey Comparet; and Carly (Damon) Scott; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers: Don Dawson; Cal Dawson; and Max Dawson; and three sisters: Katie Williams; June Nelson; and Merle Paul; and by a grandson: Drew Comparet.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco, with Pastor Byron Von Gunten, of Pathway Community Church officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, or one prior to the service Wednesday morning. Interment will be in Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Parkview Home Health and Hospice or Riley Hospital for Children.