Stewart A. "Bud" Leithliter

Mr. Stewart A. “Bud” Leithliter died peacefully at home with his wife and daughter by his side on March 5, 2017 in Oakland, Tennessee at the age of 72.

Memorial Services with Military Honors for Mr. Leithliter will be conducted at 11 A.M. Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Pastor Don Park, minister at the Faith United Methodist Church in Oakland, officiating. Interment will be private. A visitation for Mr. Leithliter will be from 10 to 11 A.M. Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. Arrangements will be provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Stewart is survived by beloved wife of 48 years, Janet Leithliter; his only child, Mendi Leithliter Donnelly (husband, Ryan); his cherished granddaughter, Caroline Grace; and his brother, Andy Leithliter of Delphi, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Edna and Andrew Leithliter; brothers, George and James Leithliter; and his sister, Peggy Anderson, all of Carmi, Illinois.

Bud was born on July 18, 1944 in Joliet, Illinois. He married Janet Darnell, after receiving his draft notice. He was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1967 and served until 1969. He served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. He was stationed in Bong Song, Vietnam and was ranked as Sergeant. He was awarded with the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct, Vietnam Service Medal (American), Vietnam Service Medal (Vietnam), Expert Rifle Medal and Paratrooper award.

He was wounded on June 13, 1968 in his left lung, right side, right shoulder and right hand from a claymore mine in 1968 when he was only 23 years old. His life was saved by a Kool-Aid packet for a sucking chest wound. His platoon consisted of 25 soldiers, in which 13 died. Four were close friends that passed away. After transferring to four different hospitals, he was finally released from Tshininy Barracks in Japan. He was then sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and finally Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he taught combat training to the newly drafted and enlisted.

He received his GED in the Army and chose to be the first in his family to graduate from college.  He chose Southern Illinois University (SIU) and graduated in 1973 with a degree in Architectural Design. He owned his own steel fabrication business for many years and worked alongside his men every single day.  He was known to give many men willing to work an opportunity to learn the welding trade.

Bud was accomplished at building anything his wife and daughter asked him to be built. He and his daughter built multiple projects together inside and outside of their homes. He was a true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor, generous to all and dedicated to providing a wonderful life for his family. His love for his granddaughter, Caroline Grace, was immeasurable. She was truly the apple of his eye.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the West Tennessee Veterans Home, P.O. Box 655, Cordova, TN 38088 or at http://www.veterans-home.com/donate-now/ .