Leonard Ervin Tungate, age 89, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, at his residence. He was born June 5, 1932, in Richmond, Indiana and was the son of Cecil and Effie (Smith) Tungate.
He married Joan Lacy October 6, 1956, and together they had four children, Joetta, Sharon, Dainty, and Lennie. Leonard served in the Indiana National Guard Co. A 151st Infantry from 1949-1956. He worked for World Bestos, Division of Firestone from 1957 – 1974. He was the manager of Wake-up Filling Station retiring in 1994 after 18 years of service. He also worked for Goodwill Industries where he retired in 2012 after 9 years of service.
Leonard loved working with his hand, especially yard work. He had a God given talent for working on cars. He was a “back yard mechanic” and became quite known in this area for his expertise. He enjoyed stock car racing and even drove his own race cars at Mt. Lawn and Anderson Speedway. He introduced his son, Lennie to racing and for years the two would find themselves competing with each other! Leonard also liked fishing, camping, Nascar, and southern gospel music by his favorite singer, George Jones. He loved family pitch-ins and enjoyed playing horseshoe with his brother, Doug.
He is survived by his wife, Joan (Lacy) Tungate; three children, Sharon (husband, Mike) Clapp, Dainty Lawson, Leonard (wife, Belva) Tungate, II; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Dainty Towe, Carolyn Alfrey, Donna Wilkinson, Jeanie (Kenny) Boykin; two brothers, Cecil D. Tungate and Bobby (Becky) Tungate, all of New Castle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Joetta Lynne Guy; a son-in-law, Rusty Lawson; a grandson, Ryan Daniel Guy; a great-grandson, Aidan Lee Clapp; a sister, Barbara Jean Tungate.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Macer-Hall-Marcum Funeral Home, 2011 East Broad Street, New Castle, with Reverend Mark Herbkersman officiating. Burial will follow at South Mound Cemetery. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021 and 12:00 p.m. until service time Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the funeral home. Funeral directors and staff are honored to serve the Tungate family. Online condolences may be made at www.macerhall.com.