Father David E. LeBlanc, age 84, of Caledonia, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. He was born in Cheboygan, Michigan on Feb. 20, 1935. Surviving are his sister Dorothy Hanson; sisters-in-law, Leona LeBlanc and Dolores LeBlanc; brother-in-law, Bob Addy; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alice LeBlanc; brothers, John and George LeBlanc; and sisters Rosali Lozon, Joan Addy and Mary Alice LeBlanc.
Father LeBlanc was ordained a priest on June 3, 1961 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew by Most Reverend Allen J. Babcock. For many years, he served the people of the Diocese of Grand Rapids at the parishes of Blessed Sacrament, Grand Rapids; St. Mary, Cheboygan (part of the Diocese of Grand Rapids at the time); St. Jean Baptiste, Muskegon; St. Francis Xavier, Grand Rapids; St. James, Montague and St. John the Baptist, Claybanks; Holy Spirit, Grand Rapids; and Holy Family, Caledonia. He also served on the faculty of St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids. In 2007, Father LeBlanc was removed from active ministry and, since that time, has been leading a life of prayer and penance in accordance with the Essential Norms of the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Grand Rapids. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Cheboygan, Michigan. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 25 from 4-7 p.m. at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Church.
Individuals with knowledge of sexual abuse by clergy or another representative of the Church are urged to contact local law enforcement and the Michigan Attorney General’s office which can be reached at 844-324-3374. Individuals may also contact the diocese’s victim assistance coordinator at 616-243-0491. For additional information, click here.
