Deacon Leonard D. Trueworthy, who spent nearly 30 years as an ordained deacon, died March 1, 2015, at age 88.

Leonard was born April 1,1926, in Butte, Montana, to Edward B. and Mayme Bernadette (Dineen) Trueworthy. He married Elizabeth "Peggy" Greek on January 1,1951. The family traveled extensively while he served in the U.S. Army, and later as a manager in numerous retail stores. He was ordained to the deaconate by Bishop Francis Quinn of Sacramento, California, on May 25, 1985, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Fairfield, California. He served in that parish from 1985 to November of 1997.

The family moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1998, where he served at St. Pius X Parish until his retirement. A press report marking his silver anniversary of ordination in 2010 contained the following story of his vocational calling; "His initial call to ministry came on a Cursillo weekend in 1980. During quiet prayer time in the chapel, Trueworthy heard a voice saying: 'Come follow me.' He thought at first that people were playing a joke on him. He looked around, checked behind the drapes, checked in the confessionals and finally realized he was alone. Again he heard the voice: 'Come follow me.' He kept the message to himself for fear of what others might think. Later that year, he was invited to enter the deacon formation program." His formation involved formal training as a hospital chaplain. He served as chaplain at North Bay Hospital in Fairfield, California, and Mercy hospital in Sacramento.

His ministry in Idaho included visiting shut-ins, senior living centers and the homebound. He also served as part-time chaplain at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 4 sisters. He is the last to go home. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; sons Chuck and Jim, daughter Terrie, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated March 9, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Pius X, 625 East Haycraft Ave., Coeur d'Alene, with inurnment to follow.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Leonard's online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.