AUBURN - Albert E. Leather, 85, the son of the late James and Margaret Leather, who were immigrants from England, died Aug. 16, 2005, in Madison, Ind.

He was born in Kokomo, Ind., on March 30, 1920, and then shortly afterwards, the family moved to central New York in the picturesque Finger Lakes region. Mr. Leather spent many happy and carefree boyhood years in the city of Auburn, at 22 Case Ave. in the West End.

His schooling took place at the Division and Seymour grade schools on their respective streets, and then on to Auburn High School. As an early teenager, Mr. Leather became a zealous Bible student and associated with the Auburn Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He shortly afterwards became a Scriptural Ordained Minister by declaring the Gospel Good News of GODS Kingdom. This was done by a public ministry that included public lectures and conducting Bible studies.

In his more mature years, with his wife, the late Beverly Jean Bauer, the family lived in Fayetteville. In his senior years, Mr. Leather took to writing articles on world events as they related to Bible prophecy. He later became the author and historical commentator of his published book titled "Seeking First The Kingdom."

He is survived by his wife of seven years, Elizabeth Anne Leather of Madison, Ind.; two sons, Jeffrey S. Leather of Raleigh, N.C. and James G. Leather of Oswego; a daughter, Melinda A. Cranwell of Wake Forrest, N.C.; a sister, Evelyn Volkland of Auburn; two grandsons and three granddaughters.

Friends and family are invited to call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Brew Funeral Home, 48 South St., Auburn. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, at the funeral home, with Brother Otha Pierce officiating. Interment will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Throop.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5680 Willowbrook Road, Auburn, NY 13021, in memory of Albert E. Leather.