Michael Frank Leeper, 62, of Elyria, OH, passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center after a courageous fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was born March 31, 1956 in Cheverly, MD and was a graduate of Duval High School in 1974. Mike proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard remaining true to their motto, "Semper Paratus" (Always Ready), throughout his life. He excelled in marksmanship and tracked hurricanes aboard the U.S.C.G.C. Taney, now a museum ship in the Baltimore Harbor. Mike worked at the U.S. Senate as an electrician, obtained his real estate license, and ran his own Leeper Home Improvements business in Maryland. In Ohio, he worked as a carpenter building new homes, a plumber for Wellington Implements, and, proudly obtaining his CDL, was a long distance trucker. He attended Lorain County Community College where he discovered a talent for creative writing. Mike was a member of St. Mary Parish, Elyria. An excellent boater and navigator, Mike had many adventures on the Chesapeake Bay and open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. He embraced nature hiking, observing the skies, following storms, camping, bonfires, and swimming in the ocean waves. He enjoyed cribbage, cards, crossword puzzles, billiards, darts, horseshoes, and marksmanship. Mike was a kind friend to everyone and lovingly treasured his family, especially his wife of 32 years, Mary Jo, his son Mike, and granddaughter Lily. Michael is survived by his wife Mary Jo (Solet) Leeper, of Elyria, son Michael Robert Leeper and granddaughter Lily Marie Leeper of Columbia, MD; sister Patricia and brother-in law, Stanley Powell of Frederick, MD; brother Rob Leeper of Cleveland, OH; niece Susan Powell Schmitz (Jason), great - nephew Noah and great niece Hannah Grace; nephew Stan Powell (Kelly), great - nephews Ryan and Nathan; and nephew and godson Paul Michael Powell, all of MD; brother-in-law and sister - in-law Jon and Ann Marie Smeraldi and nephew and godson Nicholas Smeraldi of Elyria; goddaughter Rebecca Lynn (Nightingale) Payne of VA, and many other loving relatives. Michael was preceded in death by his beloved father and mother, Robert Eugene and Francis Patricia (O'Connor) Leeper, and stepmother Marlene Leeper. The family will receive friends Sunday 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday October 15, 2018 at St. Mary Church 320 Middle Ave., Elyria. (Please meet at church). The Rev, Fr. Charles Diedrick, pastor, will be the Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Grafton, where members of V.F.W. Post 1079 will conduct full military honors. The family would like to thank the Cleveland VA Medical Center staff, especially while in the MICU, for their care of Michael and his wife, Mary Jo, during a very difficult time.