John (Mick) Nicholas Leibensperger

Mick, 88, passed away July 1. He was raised in Mohrsville, PA, son of John and Sophia Leibensperger. He was the husband of Doris Leibensperger for 68 years, until her death in 2022. Mick graduated from Perry High School where he was an outstanding athlete. He lived in Temple, PA for more than 40 years before becoming a resident in Independent Living at Phoebe Berks Retirement Community for the past 7 years. After high school graduation, Mick entered the Marines where he served in Japan and Hawaii at the end of the Korean Conflict. He spent his civilian career as a machinist at various knitting mills in Berks County. Mick was a Master Mason of the VAUX Lodge and a life member of the Shoemakersville Fire Company, where he served as a volunteer firefighter.

Mick and Doris raised two daughters, Kim and Sue, offering them many wonderful memories. Mick was extremely hardworking and prudent. He enjoyed camping, riding his motorcycle and bicycle, and continued his high school athleticism throughout his life – water skiing with "trickster" skis, playing tennis, and snow skiing in Europe, western US, New England and locally. He skied until two years ago, including within 2 months of having a knee replacement at 84. When Kim's husband died at a young age, Mick retired and stayed with Kim in Bethlehem from Monday – Friday, helping to care for and raise his two grandsons. He and Doris traveled from Wyoming to Maine to spend time with Sue and his other two grandsons, Sue's twin boys.

Mick will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by daughter Kim Hitchings and her husband Jim Rieger of Bethlehem, PA; Kim's sons, Jarret Hitchings, Esq., wife Kristen and great-grandson Lincoln of Charlotte, NC, and Michael Hitchings, wife Stephanie and great-grandson Trey of Philadelphia; daughter Sue Moody of Falmouth, Maine; Sue's sons, Dr. Benjamin Moody of Salt Lake City, Utah and Christopher Moody of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; his brother Steve Leibensperger and wife Doris, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by sons-in-law, Jeffrey Hitchings and Jay Moody, and sisters Mary Ann Schappell and Cassandra Adams.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Inurnment will be in St. Luke's Cemetery, Shoemakersville.

Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements.