Matthew Edward Leininger

Matthew Edward Leininger, 53 of Tipton died after a brief illness at I.U. Methodist on Saturday, January 20, 2024 with his loving family by his side. He was born in Indianapolis on July 6, 1970 to Vernon E. and Judith L. (Johnson) Leininger. Matt married Jennifer Whitesell (Harris) on March 15, 2013 and she survives.

Matt was a 1989 graduate of Tipton High School. He was a fun loving guy that enjoyed life and the company of his friends. He was employed for the past few years at Beck Hybrids where he was involved with the production at the facility. Many would know Matt as he worked for the Indiana Department of Transportation Tipton Sub District and at the Westfield Sub District as a foreman for over 20 years.

He was deeply involved with activities that surrounded his antique steam engines, the 1917 Port Huron “Ole Her”, the 1917 Nichols & Shephard and the 1920 Frick Eclipse. He belonged to the Pioneer Engineers Club in Rushville, was active at the Pioneer Village at the Howard County fair, showed at the Portland Tri-State Antique Gas Engine Tractor show, and was heavily involved in the Mid America Threshing Antique Club where he had served as a board member. He was well known for his “spark shows” with his best friends Dave Riggs, Danny Engle and Ralph Pearcy.

Survivors include his wife Jen, his mother Judith, children Joe Leininger, Dion Leininger, Meagan Leininger, Melanie Harris and Evan Harris. Siblings include Marcia Sigman (Brian) of Connecticut, Lisa Pfeiffer of Ohio, Jill Craft Shannon (Jim) of Louisiana, and Laura Sottong (Bill) of Tipton. Several nieces and nephews, William, Daniel, Eric, Alex, Kate, Jack and Meghan and Mike Leininger whom he considered a brother.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 27 at 2:00 P.M. at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton with Rev. Robb Roloff presiding. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until service time on Saturday at the church. Burial at Fairview Cemetery will occur at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mid America Threshing Antique Show, P.O. Box 576 Arcadia, Indiana, 46030 or to the family for unplanned medical expenses with envelopes at the church.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Leininger family in their time of need.