Rufus Leath, 85, of Spansail Drive, Niles, Michigan, died following a brief illness at 2 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2005, in Pine Creek Foster Care Home, Niles.
Mr. Leath was born June 11, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Rufus E. and Addie Mae (Spicer) Leath. He graduated from Central High School in 1939, where he excelled in track. Rufus went on to attend Alabama State University. He had lived in Niles since 1945, coming from South Bend, Indiana, in 1924.
Rufus retired in 1985 after 34 years of service from the U.S. Postal Service in Niles. He was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles. Mr. Leath was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he was one of the original "Tuskegee Airman." He was also a member of both the Four Flags Flying Club and Four Flags Chess Club. He enjoyed golf and bowling. Rufus was an avid Notre Dame and Chicago Cubs fan.
On February 6, 1943, in Junction City, Kansas, he was married to the former Menella l. Dixon, who survives. Also surviving are his two nephews whom he raised as his own sons, Robert (Lynne) Dixon II of Seaside, Calif., and Derrick Battle of Detroit, Michigan; two great-nephews, Robert Dixon III and John Dixon, both of Seaside, California; a brother, John (Molly) Leath of Owings Mills, Maryland; as well as several other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Rufus Leath will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005, in Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, with Rev. Bryant L. Bacon officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 20, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Memorials may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church.