Age 77, of Montrose, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider a memorial donation in Val’s name to an animal charity of choice, or a tree may be planted in Val’s memory. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Val’s tribute wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.

Born on November 27, 1948, in Brighton, Michigan, Val Arthur Leadbitter was the son of Lawrence and Vera (Hoffman) Leadbitter. Val graduated from Edsel Ford High School in 1966. He would later obtain his Bachelors Degree from Wayne State University for mechanical engineering. He owned and operated many companies throughout his career before retiring in 2004 from his company, Lyceum. Val married the love of his life, Janice Leadbitter, in 1981. The two would share almost half a century together, building a family and a lifetime of memories they would cherish forever.

In his free time, Val found joy in photography. He would spend a large amount of time outdoors capturing the beauty of nature. He also enjoyed putting together model planes and ships, watching old western films, and golfing. Additionally, he could not resist his love for animals, rescuing any animal that he would cross paths with. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Val will be remembered as a good friend, a great father, and a cherished husband.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of over 40 years, Janice Leadbitter; his daughter, Lisa (Sayles) Kraiza and husband, Dan; his granddaughter, Esther Kraiza; his sisters: Wendy Brotherton and life partner, Larry Krefman, Victoria Leadbitter; his nephews: Ryan Brotherton, Christopher Lawrence Leadbitter, and Nicholas Rathbun; as well as many beloved cousins and friends.

Val was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Vera Leadbitter.