Joseph G. Leugers, 89, of Springfield, died at 2:20 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008, in Oakwood Village Care Center.

He was born March 17, 1919, in Mercer County, to Herman and Leona Leugers. His wife of 60 years, Helen M. Samosky survives.

Other survivors are five children, Joyce (Jeff) Collier, Springfield, Jerry (Cheree), Greenwood, Ind., Jim (Sheila), Franklin, Ind., Jeanne (Joe) Linge, Port Orange, Fla., and John (Carrie), Niceville, Fla.; a sister, Rosemary Moeller, Maria Stein; two brothers, Henry and Art (Bonnie), all of Maria Stein; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a sister, Alvina Bernard; and a grandson.

He retired from Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, in 1974 after 33 years of service, where he was a budget analyst at Air Force Logistics Command. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II. He was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, Springfield, where he was a lector, server and communion distributor. He served as St. Marys parish athletic director, 14 years as director of the Springfield CYO baseball program, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. He was the 1937 class valedictorian of the former Maria Stein High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Ind.

Funeral Mass was Nov. 8, 2008, at the St. Raphael church. Burial was at St. Bernard Cemetery, Springfield.

Contributions can be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society or the Jason Collier Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Springfield Catholic Central High School Foundation.