Leon Allen Bennethum

Leon Allen Bennethum, 94, of West Reading, passed away January 10, 2014 in Keystone Villa at Fleetwood.

His wife, Teresa (Screpesi) Bennethum, died May 18, 2013.

Born August 4, 1919 in West Reading, he was a son of the late Edwin and Sally (Shollenberger) Bennethum.

He was a 1937 graduate of West Reading High School.

Leon was a letter carrier in West Reading for 35 years, retiring in 1984.

He was a member of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, West Reading.

Leon was a U.S. Army veteran. He served in Normandy during WWII and earned a Purple Heart Medal.

He is survived by his two daughters: Barbara Ann (Bennethum) Lowry of Reading and Patricia Maria (Bennethum), wife of Michael S. Hoffman of Spring Township.

Other survivors include six grandchildren: Kristin K. (Lowry), wife of Edward Perhonitch; Alycia M. (Hoffman), wife of Joseph E. Lenart, III; Rachel K. Hoffman; Stewart M., husband of Gia M. (DiGiacomo) Hoffman; Lee A., husband of Kelly A. (Miller) Hoffman and Shannon B. (Lowry), wife of Brian Sowal.

Nine great grandchildren also survive him: Parker A. Lenart, Adyson L. Perhonitch, Mason J. Lenart, Madeline E. Sowal, Jadyn T. Perhonitch, Gavin M. Lenart, Olivia A. Sowal, Sophia K. Sowal and Michael S. Hoffman.

Leon was predeceased by four siblings: Margaret Dicus, Helen DiMascio, Edna Yonavick, and Edwin Bennethum.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:00 am in Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 740 Cherry Street, West Reading. Viewings will be held Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., both in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 6217 Reading, Pa 19610. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.