Obituaries
Tobias Dwight Leaman, 18
December 30, 2001 - October 17, 2020
Tobias Dwight Leaman, 18, of West Lampeter Township, passed away at Hershey Medical Center on Saturday, October 17, 2020, following a 16 month battle with cancer.
A lasting legacy for Tobias will be how he fought his cancer with a strong faith and spirit, and without complaint. It is a testament to the young man he was before becoming ill, which has inspired others to live more intentional Christian lives. Known for his easy smile, Tobias was most content in the presence of those he loved.
He was born Dec. 30th, 2001, in Frederick, MD, the first born to Dwight N. and Sheila J. (Siegrist) Leaman, with whom Tobias lived.
Tobias graduated from Lampeter-Strasburg High School in 2020 and recently started classes in Automotive Technology at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. While at L-S, Tobias was involved in FFA, played on the golf team, sang in the choir and played French horn in the band, as well as being a National Honor Society student.
Having a strong faith, Tobias worshipped with his family at Strasburg Mennonite Church, where he was active in the youth group and with their Bible quizzing team.
He had a passion for dirt bikes and classic cars, and recently enjoyed two trips to Florida in his 2001 Corvette, once to visit his grandparents and once to attend the NASCAR Daytona 500. He and his family also took a 17 day road trip out west to visit several National Parks earlier this year.
Tobias enjoyed working on the family farm, and raising Bernese Mountain puppies. He liked to listen to music ranging from Classic Rock to Southern Gospel, and he had started to play the guitar. From an early age, Tobias also took an interest in model trains and layouts.
In addition to his parents Dwight and Sheila, Tobias is survived by his four younger siblings, Wesley, Greta, Magdalana and Eliza Leaman; his paternal grandparents, Norman and E. Arlene (McMichael) Leaman of West Lampeter Twp.; and his maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Elizabeth (Harnish) Siegrist of Henderson, NY.
We as a family would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to God, our family, church family, and community at large for the generous outpouring of support we have received these past months. From meals to a Cruise-In car show, to many other supporting gifts including emails, texts, and shared songs of encouragement, we have been so blessed.
Viewings will take place Saturday 10/24 from 2 to 5 PM and Sunday 10/25 from 1:30 to 3 PM, followed by the Funeral on Sunday at 3 PM with Rev. John D. Meck officiating, at Strasburg Mennonite Church, 1514 Village Rd., Strasburg, PA. Interment in Strasburg Mennonite Cemetery.
On Sunday 10/25, additional parking with shuttle service will be available at the Bachman Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 7 S. Decatur St., and Wesley U.M. Church, 40 W. Main St., Strasburg. Please meet the Shuttle from the sidewalk on West Franklin Street.
Please omit flowers, and kindly consider a memorial contribution to the Strasburg Mennonite Church Benevolent Fund or the Ronald McDonald House.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
November 09, 2022
Hello Tobias, I can’t keep from thinking about you so I decided to write one more time.
My friend Rj really cares for you. He said that he hopes that his dad is up there with you having a great time. We both miss you, goodbye.
September 28, 2022
Hello tobias I hope you are looking down with great grief and smpathy because I am getting a little
chocked up writing this. Tobias I will never forget how much you loved me and played with me
it was so fun and I hope one day when my life is over I will get to see you again. I am so sorry that I was never able to say goodbye to you. I am so sorry that I was so shy and selfish when you asked me questions. I hope you forgive me I am trying to give you all the love and respect that I can right here from my school desk. I hope your walking on streets of Gold lined with silver. I will never forget you Tobias but for now it’s time to say goodbye
I Love you so much
Isaac
Siegrist
September 28, 2022
Hello October 17 is coming up and i just wanted to say to tobias that the 16 months he I
battled with cancer were the best 16 months of my life. I am so glad that i got to spend alot of time with him before God called him up to heaven to live with him. I think about him everyday before i go to bed hoping i will see him when my life is over. Thank you so much for raising such a loving and caring cousin.
Love
Isaac Siegrist
November 16, 2020
We remember Tobias as a boy,He had a very brave spirit of valor to fight the battle with cancer!!! So sad Your 24/7 intimate presence with him has suddenly come to an end. God will be with you in the emptiness you feel, Jesus is by your side. The angles are rejoicing over a great prayer warrior for the kingdom. The angles are rejoicing over a saint come home, in the arms of Jesus.
May the God of all mercy and comfort hold you near.Jewel and Gerald Garber
November 09, 2020
To the Leaman family. Tobias was a great man but not only that he was a friend to me as well as many people at the school including the FFA. He also was the mentor and teacher tell me when he told me how do use a light saber which is completely off the top of here but that’s how we were connected. Anyway you’re going to be missed man but we now all know that you’ll be safe
Zach Berger
October 28, 2020
Dwight, Sheila, Wesley, Greta, Magdalana, and Eliza (whom we have not yet met!), we grieve with you in the passing of Tobias. It seems it was just the other day that the boys and Greta were part of our children’s ministry at New Beginning and Magdalana was just a possibility. How swiftly fly the years. We love you, miss you, and are lifting you up in prayer.
Ryan, Lexa, Katrina, Mikayla, and Sydney Herbert
Frederick, MD
October 28, 2020
Safe in the arms of Jesus! Praise the Lord for that precious promise! It was a blessing to get to know your beautiful family when we were at Hershey those months for my Micah’s treatment. My heart aches with you and my prayers are with you without ceasing. “Precious in the sight of the Lord are the death of his saints.” In Him,
Nancy Haddon
October 23, 2020
Dwight and family,
No words to say, but depths of care from all of us at EGStoltzfus.
Kris Buch
October 22, 2020
Tobias
I didn’t know you but thank you for Godly spirit in which you lived.
Much thanks for that.
Herman Nafziger
October 22, 2020
Dwight, Sheila and family,
I have a vivid picture in my mind of your sweet boy, always with a smile on his face, during his years at Conestoga Elem. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this unimaginable time. May you find peace in every treasured memory and the knowledge that Tobias is with Jesus. Much love to you, The Hostetter family
October 22, 2020
Tobias, I didn’t know you for very long but your smile always stood out. So blessed to have met you and look forward to seeing you again at the feet of Jesus. Praying for all the family during this time, may our Lord uphold, wrap around, and undergird you all.
Randy & Linda Kellenberger
October 22, 2020
Dear Sheila and Dwight,
It was my absolute honor and privilege to take care of Tobias through his cancer journey. I will always remember his smile and his ever positive attitude. I will especially miss our jokes about his 6 feet tall body towering over me in clinic.
Rest in peace, my brave warrior !
Love,
Dr Dandekar
October 21, 2020
I am so sorry to hear about this. Tobias was such a dear friend of mine. I will cherish laughing with him and joking around with him. Tobias I am going to miss you so much but I know that you are having so much fun with Jesus right now. I will never forget you.
Love your friend,
Naomi Wenger
October 21, 2020
Please accept my condolences regarding the loss of your dear Tobias. As his piano instructor, I found him to be such a delightful, talented student, always polite and bearing an infectious smile. Your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers. Debbie Heffner
October 21, 2020
Dwight,
My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the peace that you seek during this time.
Sincerely,
Katy Kutz
October 21, 2020
I remember meeting Tobias when he first came to our school. He always had a smile on his face no matter what. Our school had a dodgeball tournament the year I met him, and I remember him being the star on our team. You will be missed Tobias.
Sincerly, Dylan Reading
October 21, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. My son, Jackson, speaks so highly of Tobias. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Beth Price
October 21, 2020
I never got to meet Tobias in person due to COVID. His desire to continue to push toward his goal of being an Auto Mechanic at Stevens despite his diagnosis demonstrates his determination and positive attitude. My sincere condolences to Tobias’s family.
Deb Schuch
October 21, 2020
Our heartfelt wish to say God bless and strengthen you.
Your neighbors, Patrick and Barbara Patterson
October 21, 2020
Dear Leaman Family, I recognized Tobias’ face immediately, and was so saddened to read that he had to fight, and then lose his battle with cancer at such a young age. I remember him as a smart and polite child when he was in my classroom as a primary student. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Ellen Altdoerffer
October 21, 2020
On behalf of MCC SWAP staff in Kimball, West Virginia, we remember Tobias’ participation with us in June of 2019. We offer our prayers to God that the promises of Jesus would bring comfort and peace to your family.
Peg and Lee Martin
October 21, 2020
Dear Sheila – So very sorry to read about your loss of Tobias. I have nothing but wonderful memories of him at Conestoga Elementary and how he always offered me a smile in the office. Please know I’m praying for you and your whole family.
Lily Williams
October 21, 2020
Tobias was a great friend of mine. We would get together and train with lightsabers which was what technically got me into them but with that he was like a mentor to me so seeing this breaks me to a million bite sized pieces. You fought well Tobias and we will all know that your free from cancers tyranny and we will miss you.
Zach Berger
October 20, 2020
I came to know dear Tobias through Carol and Gordon Zook from the time they were in India and though I never met him, it always felt like I knew him well enough to follow his journey the past year and a half. Was truly such an inspiration even to people young and old, far and near. My deep sympathies to the parents and his siblings and loved ones for having had such a blessed child even though for a short time in this world.
Cynthia Peacock
October 20, 2020
Lifting you up in prayers. Tobias was such a wonderful kid with zest, who grew into a fine young man with a strong faith. May you find comfort with the knowledge Tobias touched and inspired so many lives. Sincerely,Bonnie and Bob Martin
- Visitation
- Saturday, October 24, 2020
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Strasburg Mennonite Church
- 1514 Village Road
- Strasburg, PA 17579
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Visitation
- Sunday, October 25, 2020
- 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
- Strasburg Mennonite Church
- 1514 Village Road
- Strasburg, PA 17579
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Sunday, October 25, 2020
- 3:00 PM
- Strasburg Mennonite Church
- 1514 Village Road
- Strasburg, PA 17579
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
