Dr. Vernon Edward Leininger, age 78, of West Jefferson, Ohio, and a former Tipton resident, passed away September 27, 2014.   He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, graduate of Tipton High School and a U.S. Army Veteran.

Vernon did his undergraduate work at Indiana University and post graduate work at Purdue University. Following completion of his education, he served as a pioneer in radiation oncology.  As an Associate Professor of Physics at Indiana University Medical School, he was instrumental in securing and bringing into the country one of the first linear accelerators for the treatment of cancer.  He continued his work in cancer treatment at the University of Connecticut, St. Johns Hospital in Anderson, Indiana, and retired from Hobbs Oncology Center/OhioHealth.

 He then did private consulting in diagnostic physics until his death.  Dr. Leininger worked tirelessly to ease the sufferings of others.  He was a member of the Pioneer Engineers Club, American College of Medical Physics (ACMP), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the Lions Club. Vernon was an avid bible reader and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Mid-America Threshing and Antique Show and enjoyed collecting steam engines, old cars and motorized equipment.

Preceded in death by parents Alfred Sr. and Lydia Leininger and brothers John and Alfred Jr.   Survived by loving wife of 24 years Linda, children Marcia (Brian) Sigman, Lisa Pfeiffer, Jill (James Shannon) Craft, Laura (Bill Sottong) Roy, Matthew (Jennifer) Leininger and their mother Judith, sister Lauretta Byrd, grandchildren William and Daniel Sigman, Eric Pfeiffer, Alexandra, Kathryn, and Jordan Craft, Meghan Sottong, Joseph and Dion (Carson) Leininger, step-grandchildren Meagan, Melanie and Evan Harris, many loving relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. James Lutheran Church, 5660 Trabue Rd, Columbus, Ohio, 43228.  

Vernon's funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton with Rev. Robb Roloff presiding and burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton, and from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Saturday at the church..

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church of Columbus, Ohio, Emanuel Lutheran Church, 1385 S. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072, or a philanthropic organization of one’s choice.