Leonard D. Mitchem, 69, of Clanton passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

He was born Sept. 19, 1942, in Uriah and was the son of the late William Richard Mitchem and I.V. Hayles. He was raised in Baldwin County but lived most of his adult life in Crownsville, Md. He retired to Clanton in 2007 to be closer to his family.

Leonard was a U.S. Army veteran and served his country in both Vietnam and Germany. He also worked for the F.B.I. in Washington, D.C. and the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, Md., and he was stationed with his family in England and Iran during his years of government service. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland while working full-time for the N.S.A.

Leonard never met a stranger and he will be remembered by all who knew and loved him for his sense of humor, his tall tales and his love for his children and grandchildren.

Leonard is survived by his four children, Michael Mitchem (Kim), Mary Mitchem (Tom Yantis), Wayne Mitchem and John Leonard Mitchem (Christina); his five beloved grandchildren, Samuel Yantis, Lucy Yantis, Janalyn Mitchem, Jack Leonard Mitchem and Kylie Mitchem; his brothers and sisters, Willard Mitchem (Pattilynne), Willo Dean Hastings, Irene Benham (Terry Baker), Joe Mitchem (Rita) and 16 nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 31 at 11 a.m. from the Memorial Chapel of Ellison-Cleckler Funeral Home in Clanton. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Burial will follow the service at 1:15 p.m. in the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison-Cleckler Funeral Home of Clanton.

www.ellisonclecklerfuneralhome.com