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.
My dear sweet little brother. I cant believe you are gone now. I will miss your quirky sense of humor and your beautiful soul. Rest in Peace in God’s loving arms. We all loved you and you are forever in our hearts.
Love,
Marcia, Brian, Will and Dan Sigman
Jennifer and Family- So very sorry to hear of your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May your memories help to sustain you and comfort you.
With deepest sympathy,
Cathy
Rest in peace my wonderful cousin (BROTHER)❤️❤️
Sorry for your loss, Matt was a good person, He was always kind. I’ve known Matt since the late eighties. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, sending hugs to you all.🙏🫂
May God watch over you all and give you strength, through this difficult time.
I am sorry to see that Matt passed away. I knew Matt several years ago, and he was a kind and funny person. I would see Matt in passing, if we both happen to be in the same place. But, we never had a chance to chat with one another. My sympathies goes out to the family, during the difficult days ahead.
Matt was a very nice guy to be around and I loved it when he took me kid’s on the steam engine for ride. Thenext year my son was older matt let him steer the steam engine while he did the other stuff on it. He was a good guy to talk to and also be around. Heaven his stuff about antique tractors or steam engine’s.
I remember Matt at the Rushville steam show when he was a kid. He always had dirty hands and face from being on and around his dads steam engine. He was having fun. He will be missed at the shows. I’m sure he will be running an engine in Heaven
Jenn and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for inviting me into your family and teaching me all about the steam engines. Thank you for all your help with my yard and painting the house. I loved having the kiddos in class. Matt, you will be missed. Hugs and prayers to the family.