Leo W. Difford

Leo W. Difford of Kinsman, Ohio, died on April 4, 2005, in Ann Arbor Michigan. He and his wife, June, moved to Michigan in 2004 to be near their daughters and family. Mr. Difford was born August 5, 1919, in Kinsman, Ohio, a son of William Henry and Jennie (Irons) Difford, and lived in Kinsman most of his life. He was a graduate of Kinsman High School. He graduated from Kent State University. He was a teacher and coach and later the Superintendent of Gustavus School. Mr. Difford was the first superintendent of the Joseph Badger school district upon the consolidation of Gustavus, Kinsman, Hartford and Vernon schools in 1960. He was the first superintendent of the Trumbull County Joint Vocational School District and was instrumental in getting the levy passed and in the school becoming a reality. He retired in 1979. Mr. Difford was respected and beloved by many students whose lives he touched throughout the years. He served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II, serving overseas in the Pacific Operation. He served 40 years as a Tournament manager including the Trumbull County Interscholastic Association Class "A" Basketball Tournaments, Sectional "A" Basketball, and Sectional and District "AA" Baseball Tournaments. He was a lifelong member of the Kinsman United Methodist Church and was a member of the Kent State Varsity "K" Alumni Club, Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (formerly known as Ohio Vocational Association), the Ohio Retired Teachers' Association, the Trumbull County Retired Teachers' Association, and a past member of the Bronzwood Golf Club. Mr. Difford was an avid sports fan and dedicated follower of the Cleveland Indians and the Ohio State Buckeyes and rarely missed watching or listening to their games. He enjoyed the Badger High School Athletic Program and the Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers. Mr. Difford was preceded in death by his wife, the former June M. Gakel, whom he married on June 17, 1943, at the St. Paul Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. The service was performed by the late Bishop Geral Kennedy. Also preceding him in death are his parents; and his brother, Harold E. Difford. He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne and Joe Baldrige and Deborah and Jim Heinold, both of Saline, Michigan; three grandsons, Ryan and Reed Caldwell and Kurt Heinold; and two great grandsons, Jake and Derek Caldwell. He was a very devoted husband and father, and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2005, at 11:00a.m. at Baumgardner Funeral Home, 8569 Main Street, Kinsman, Ohio, with Rev. Kenneth Kubicheck and Rev. Marion Rodriguez officiating. Burial will follow in Kinsman Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 8, 2005, from 7:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00a.m. until the time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kinsman United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 218, Kinsman, OH 44428 Guestbook available at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com

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