Anita Louise Leach - May 11th, 1962 - June 1st, 2026
I first met Anita during the 2008–2009 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. We were both members of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee in Washington, D.C., supporting the military mission for that historic event. From the very beginning, I was impressed by her professionalism, dedication, and commitment to serving others.
Over the years, Anita became one of my dearest friends. We stayed in close contact and often talked about bringing together fellow committee members for reunions. I was honored when she agreed to serve as President of my nonprofit organization. Her leadership, wisdom, and unwavering support helped guide our mission and inspired everyone around her.
There were many times, I would call my dearest friend, on long trips home each day from work. It was usually a 2 hour drive from my Maryland job to my PA home. She would keep me awake on the road and I would do the same for her on her trips to see her sister in Oklahoma. Anita had a complete heart of gold. They don’t make many like her and I miss her very much.
One of the greatest lessons Anita taught me was that true leadership is about serving others with humility, kindness, and integrity. No matter how demanding her responsibilities were, she always made time to help a friend, mentor a colleague, or encourage someone who needed support.
What I will remember most is her generous spirit. Anita had a unique ability to make people feel valued and appreciated. She was one of the most giving individuals I have ever known, and her friendship enriched my life in countless ways.
I will forever cherish the memories we shared and the example she set through a lifetime of service to her family, her country, and her friends. Anita’s legacy of compassion, dedication, and selfless service will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Rest in peace, my dear friend. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Ron Falciano
Ronald,
A tree has been planted as a living legacy for Anita Leach.
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Dear Robert, Stacy, Jason, Theresa & Family –
You have my deepest sympathies for the loss of Anita. She was an amazing woman & very dear friend.
Anita Louise Wald Leach, Lt. Col., USAF, (retired), resident of O’Fallon Township, Ill., passed away on June 1, 2026, at the age of 64. She was born and raised on the west side of Tulsa and attended Daniel Webster High School, where she was president of her Senior Class. She was known by those who loved her as someone full of heart, strength, and deep devotion to her family.
Anita joined the United States Air Force in 1987 and went on to earn her master’s law degree from St. Louis University. She was adjunct professor at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., and assisted with training law students at Southern Illinois University (SIUE), in Edwardsville, Ill.
During her years of military service, she worked in Human Resource Administration, serving at the Pentagon as an assistant to high-level executives and dignitaries. She also completed two tours in the Middle East and a year in Korea. She served as Commander of the 90th Mission Support Squadron at FE Warren AFB, Inspector General West at National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) in St. Louis, and Chief of Readiness & Integration Division at HQ AMC, Scott AFB, Ill., among several other leadership positions. Even after retiring from the Air Force, Anita continued to serve others through her work with the Federal Executive Board, where she had only recently retired.
Anita will be remembered for the way she cared for people. She was giving and generous, always ready to help family, friends, or even a stranger who needed kindness. She loved the St. Louis Cardinals and brought warmth, and a steady presence to those around her.
Anita was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Hope Bettis, her sister, Jerri Bettis, and her brother, Paul Wald.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Leach, her daughter, Stacey Leach, her son, Jason Leach, and her sister, Theresa Bettis. Memorial donations in her honor would be appreciated to the American Red Cross, as Anita was grateful for their assistance provided to her years ago while serving abroad.
Funeral Services will be held in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest with family members at Floral Haven Cemetery, Broken Arrow, OK. Local assistance was provided by Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, IL, where one may message the family or post an online condolence at https://www.wfh-ofallon.com.
Harold "Bud" Pressel - February 3rd, 1924 - January 5th, 2026
Harold received his Purple Heart Medal days before his 101 Birthday
DALLASTOWN, Pa. (WHTM) — A 100-year-old veteran in York County received his Purple Heart 80 years later.
“The Purple Heart means quite a bit,” Sergeant Harold “Bud” Pressel told abc27 News. “But I wasn’t sure I’d get it.
The World War II Veteran received the medal Wednesday at the American Legion Post 605 in Dallastown.
Regarding the ceremony, “this was a big surprise,” Pressel said. “So many people and then have the general present it, that was even bigger.”
Pressel grew up in York and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943.
On Feb. 7, 1945, Pressel was on his third combat mission. His B-24 Liberator was shot down after a bombing run in Germany. He bailed from the aircraft and when he landed, he ruptured his left ear and was captured.
“There were some four or five Hungarian young guys came over and got me and picked me up,” Pressel said. “They really treated me good. They were nice young men.
Though, Pressel said “they took my watch and I didn’t get that back.”
“Though they never met in many ways, Major Olsen and Sergeant Pressel’s experiences are remarkably similar and it is fitting that we can honor them both here today,” Lyons said.
Olsen grew up in Chicago and enlisted in the Army.
On June 13, 1944, just a week after D-Day, he was flying his 15th combat mission, a bombing raid on Munich.
Both were liberated on April 29, 1945.
Happy 101st Birthday to a Hero
