Leo Reed 'RJ' Rader, Jr.

Leo Reed Rader, Jr. ("RJ"), age 84 1/2, peacefully passed away on June 27, 2023. A 52 year resident of rural Arcanum, he has been a resident of the Brethren Retirement Community, Greenville, Ohio for the past 6 months dealing with complications from urinary bladder cancer. Leo was born at home on "Gobbler's Knob”, Odon, Indiana on August 20, 1938 to Leo Reed and Thelma Olive (Greenwood) Rader.

He graduated from Elnora High School in 1956, then attended Vincennes (IN) Community College and Spokane (WA) Community College, where he graduated with a degree in Aviation Maintenance. Having learned to fly as a teenager at the Washington, IN airport, his love of flying propelled him to acquire ratings to operate single engine, multi-engine, & commercial airplanes. He also earned his Certified Pilot Instructor's License. He worked as an aircraft (A&E) mechanic and flying instructor for 28 years at Phillipsburg {OH} Airport, then 18 years for Woolpert, Dayton, OH, piloting aerial survey mapping acquisition flights for their commercial and government contracts. Leo retired from Woolpert in 2018 at age 80.

Leo was in the National Guard for ten years, serving in Linton, IN and Spokane WA. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Arcanum, OH. He was a Past Worshipful Master of Arcanum Masonic Lodge #295; a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton, OH, where he was a 32nd Degree Mason; a member of the Greenville Chapter #77, Royal Arch Masons of Ohio; Past Illustrious Master of Matchette Council #91, Greenville, OH, Royal & Select Masons of Ohio; and a member of Coleman Commandery #17, Troy, OH, Knights Templar Ohio. He enjoyed time with family, friends, flying, reading, and flower & vegetable gardening.

Leo is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Dale "Moge" and Roseline Rader and brother and sister-in-law, Richard "DeeDee" and Ruby Jean Rader.

Leo is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann (Schiavoni) Rader, by three children and their families: Leo Reed, III and Teresa (Rapp) Rader, children: Carmen and Carrie Rader (West Chester, OH), Leah Marie Rader and partner, Steve Cassavant, children: Madelyn and Violet Philhower (Berkeley, CA), and Julie Anne (Rader) and Jerry Klein, children: Lily and Jakes Klein (Raymond, OH), Also surviving are former son-in-law David Philhower (Berkeley, CA) and Beverley Kay (Rader) Gray (Plainville, IN).

Services will be held at the Meng Family Funeral Home, Odon, IN on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed at 11:00 a.m. with a "Sending Off" Masonic Service to start off the Funeral Service which will be officiated by Pastor Zachary Johnson of Elnora Christian Church. Graveside services will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Elnora. All are invited to an after-services meal and fellowship at the Elnora Christian Church.

In lieu of memorial flowers, donations in Leo's name may be made to Daviess County Friends for Animals—Indiana, P.O. Box 402, Washington, IN 47501.

Arrangements were entrusted to Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon, Indiana. Condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.mengfuneralhome.com.