Lenawee Co. man owned tire and supply company

5/15/2005

ADRIAN, Mich. - Leroy C. Feldkamp, a farmer and milk hauler who owned Lenawee Tire and Supply Co. here for many years, died Friday in his home. He was 83.

He died of complications from heart failure, family members said.

Born in Saline, Mich., Mr. Feldkamp grew up on his parents' farm and attended public schools. After high school, he started working as a milk hauler for a dairy company here before purchasing Lenawee Tire and Supply Co. in 1953.

"He was a caring and giving person who enjoyed owning his own business," said Jan Campbell, his daughter.

Mr. Feldkamp married Maxine Underwood on June 17, 1944, and they settled in Adrian, where they raised two sons and two daughters.

"He was a well-known person in the community because he liked dealing with the people here," Mrs. Campbell said.

A lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bridgewater, Mr. Feldkamp retired in 1992 and enjoyed spending his winters in Florida, where he owned another home, his daughter said.

Surviving are his wife, Maxine Feldkamp; daughters, Jan Campbell and Jalene Rende; sons, Walter and Lee; sister, Arlene Hoeft; nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Two of his daughters, Jean and JoAnn, preceded him in death.

Visitation begins at 2 p.m. today at the Anderson Funeral Home and funeral services will be held at 11:15 a.m. tomorrow at St. John's Lutheran Church.

The family suggests tributes to the St. John's Lutheran Church Steeple and Elevator Fund or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.