Harvey Dale Leed, 86, of Argos

Argos – Harvey Dale Leed, 86, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025 at his daughter, Autumn’s home in Argos, where he resided for the past year and a half.  The son of Victor and Vada (Wright) Leed, Harvey was born on August 5, 1939 in Lapaz, breach at home.

In Harvey’s youth, he set three track records with LaPaz High School that still stand over 50 years later; only one was broken in that timeframe by a 3^rd cousin of Harvey. He was known for being a bare-knuckle fighter with many rumbles with surrounding school kids as his reputation grew.  Harvey was known for protecting the underdogs and never backing down. In his late teens, Harvey was a dedicated body builder and boxer that spanned for over 20 years. He dedicated his life to staying healthy and maintained his weight within a 20-pound range. He was very disciplined with his nutrition, weight and activity. He truly was Daniel Boone & Davey Crocket rolled into one. His strength was showcased the day that he retired the famous Orangutang named Boo at the LaPorte Fair after winning a fight against Boo. A story his brother Mike still tells to this day.

He was a proud member of the Ironworkers Union Local 50, having a successful career in Ironworking and construction. Family being at the heart of what Harvey loved most, he cherished their time spent together. There are countless family memories of holidays spent together. Five generations of summer vacations were spent at School Section Lake in Michigan at the Little Red Cabin.

He was the happiest when he was outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman; whether it was hunting deer, coyote, rabbits, coon, squirrels, elk, or mushrooms, Harvey learned to live off the land. In his retirement he became an avid bird watcher and fed them daily.  Almost every year for 50 years, he traveled out west to Wyoming, Colorado and Montana for fall hunting trips. Many of his sons, son in laws, friends, coworkers joined him throughout the years.  For over a decade, he mastered his garden skills with his 10-acre strawberry farm that taught his kids and neighborhood kids a strong work ethic.

A nationally recognized dog trainer and coon hunter. Harvey had people travel from all over the United States in hopes of getting one of the hounds he trained personally.  His legendary skills were featured in Full Cry Magazine many times and was a published author in several editions. Harvey was a Grand World Champion of Coon Hunting. His training skills & hounds were highly sought after competing at Autumn Oaks and Green Castle competitions. Harvey was a lifetime member of the Wyatt Coon Hunting Club.

One of Harvey’s biggest passions was trees; he would stop his family to admire a beautiful tree and was a true conservationist at heart. Harvey frequently said that there truly wasn’t a woods that he hadn’t been in and knew every tree within a minimum 100-mile radius from his home. The woods and nature truly were his happy places.  Harvey believed that trees saved the world.

Harvey always had a smile and wanted to make people laugh and feel welcomed. The small little house and kitchen table always had a space open for the countless friends and family that came to sit for a spell with him and his wife Barbara Jean at the farm. He was famously known for his love of the ladies, complimenting and saying “if I just had a blond under each arm”. He never met a flavor of ice cream he didn’t love.

Harvey found God later in life and was baptized along with his youngest son, Tanner at Solid Rock Church in Rochester in November 2024.

Harvey was blessed with 10 children, Kimberly Leed, Randy (Colleen) Gaines, William (Jodie) Gaines, Tracy Leed, Shane (Shelli) Leed, Regina Kaser, Autumn (Shane Rucker) Leed, Cody (Kim) Leed, Jennifer Leed, Tanner Leed and his bonus son, Matt McCray;  25 grandchildren, Chris (Kellyjo) Leed, Aaron (Colleen) Gaines, Travis Mechling, Ashton Gaines, Tiffany Mechling, Bryttenny (Matthew) Sands, Summer (Tyler) Plummer, Blake (Sandy) Gaines, Josey (Michael) Leed, Cassandra (Natasha) O’Hara, Haley (Chris) Leed, Shacoda (Tyler) Betz, Shaylee (Cole) Prathaftakis, Wryanne (Kyle) Leed, Hanna Leed, Kolton (Zoe) Kaser, Aiden (Taylor) Manges, Karter Kaser, Alydiah Leed, Keagan Stanley, Miles McCray, Terryn Eisenhardt, Mallee McCray, Tennessee Leed, Billie Jo Leed; 32 great-grandchildren and 2 on-the-way, Braxton Leed, Kyle Mechling, Joshua Gaines, Nathaniel Leed, Talon Craig, Austin Andert, Gavin Gaines, Audrey Collins, Vera Plummer, Breklin Dickson, Axton Collins, Evelyn Plummer, Bentley Weaver, George Sands, Karm Prathaftakis, Austin Collins, Indika Brenner, Monty Plummer, Gwendolyn Sands, Milo Gaines, Cooper Betz, Chase Prathaftakis, Bradley Prathaftakis, Luka Gaines, Wrenley Overmyer, Declan Gaines, Vaeda Bleile, Dawson Betz, Grantt Sands, Rae Bleile, Elias Betz, and Brynlynn Gaines; and brother, Victor “Mike” (Carol) Leed , his lifelong best friend  & sister, Sally (Wayne) Griggs. He is already dearly missed by so many.

As a new cat owner, he will truly be missed by his Redhaired Marla.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Vada; daughter, Kimberly Leed; brothers, Gary and Roger Leed; infant sister, Janet Leed; wife & love of his life, Barbara Jean; first wife, Becky Leininger; granddaughter, Tennessee Kate Leed; and life-long friends, Larry McCray, Mike Levy & Duane Dicus. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 11AM-1PM at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. Funeral Services will be held at 1PM with son-in-law Shane Rucker & son Cody officiating.

Pallbearers are: Harvey’s sons: Cody Leed, Tanner Leed, Tracy Leed, Randy Gaines, William Gaines, Matt McCray and grandsons: Kolton Kaser, Aiden Manges, Karter Kaser & Keagan Stanley

Harvey will be laid to rest at Fair Cemetery in North Liberty, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Center for Hospice Care, 1419 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. In honor of Harvey’s love of trees, please consider a donation to the Jasper Pulaski Tree Nursery, 15508 W. 700 N., Medaryville, IN 47957.

Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.johnson-danielson.com