Benjamin H. Leader

Benjamin H. Leader, 89, retired electrical engineer, died Monday, June 16, 2025.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Monday, July 7, 2025, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.

Benjamin was married to Betty Manspeaker and she passed away June 14, 2018. Although they had no children, they were much loved by their nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, and extended family members.

Benjamin was an Air Force Veteran, worked at Boeing until he received his degree in Electrical Engineering and worked for KG&E until his retirement. Benjamin and Betty were key members and helped start Chapel Hill Methodist Church in Wichita. He was solid and strong in his faith. For many years, he and Betty volunteered at InterFaith Ministries and fed the homeless community on Saturdays. Their mission was helping people in need. They wanted and did make a sincere difference in the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. They sponsored and befriended many families from other countries seeking refuge in the United States. Benjamin lived a life of service to others.

Benjamin was an avid traveler, bird watcher and story teller.

Benjamin is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Otis and Annie Marie (Sizemore) Leader; wife, Elizabeth “Betty” (Manspeaker) Leader; and brother, Spencer Leader. Hs is survived by his brother, Charles Wade (Sharon) Leader of Douglass, KS; Sister, Pam Marie Leader of Norman, OK; Sisters-in-law, Lenore Leader of Wichita, KS, Nancy A. Smith of El Dorado, KS, Ruth Hinshaw of Andover; nephews, Jeff Leader, Paul David Leader, Charles Duncan Leader, Justin Eric Tate, John Manspeaker and Kevin Hinshaw; nieces, Susan Renee Leader, Jessica Marie Tate, Betty Wise, Lynn Boes, Peggy Nieses, Mary Ann Schnack and Terri Keacher; special and dear friends, Anita (Foster) Warriner and Family and Father Terry and Julie Hedrick.

Memorials have been established with: American Leprosy Missions, P. O. Box 758631, Topeka, KS 66675-8631 or Nature Conservancy of Kansas, P. O. Box 4345, Topeka, KS 66604.