Obituary of Leon Cazin

Leon Cazin passed away Sunday, December 31st, 2023, at his home in Amherstdale, WV, surrounded by his loving family. Leon was born March 10th, 1930, in Lundale, the son of the late John and Florence Marshall Cazin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Raymond Megerle, sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Phil Thuma, sister Georgia Holcomb, and Infant brother, Melf Montgomery. In 1946, Leon met his bride, Marie Workman, and started their life as one in 1950. On December 24th, 2023, they celebrated their 73rd anniversary with their 4 children. They were blessed with 2 daughters, 2 sons, 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a baby boy due in June. Growing up in a coal mining community and working on his family farm, Leon learned the value of family, hard work, discipline, hardship, integrity, and self-sacrifice early in life. These were the virtues he lived by and never wavered. Leon was a proud member of the United Mine Workers of America. As a coal biller, he worked 40 years for Island Creek Coal Company at Number 5 Tipple at Kelly, WV. He also worked in managing and preparing coal cars for loading coal as well as tipple and equipment maintenance. Leon was also a lifelong member of the NRA, highly respected, and practiced firearm safety. As a youth, his favorite places to hunt and roam were the mountains surrounding Buffalo Creek. In later years, as time allowed, he and his friends would head to Pocahontas County, WV, where they hunted together for over 30 years. Leon loved being in the mountains. Leon had an amazing memory and often shared detailed stories, some hilarious, growing up on Buffalo Creek. He often reminisced about farming, friends, school, and playing football at Man High School for Coach George Queen. He was captain his senior year, playing his favorite position, middle linebacker and somehow earning the nickname “Bruiser.” He would always laugh and say he wasn't sure how he got that name, if it was because he was giving them or if he was the one receiving them. Leon enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, and masonry work. He mastered every project to perfection. He also enjoyed cooking, especially for his grandchildren, and they certainly put their requests in before they visited. Above all, Leon prayed and accepted Jesus as his savior. He was saved and baptized on August 22nd, 2021. God let us Have him for a while; his work in this life here was done, and then God called his child home to rest in peace in his glory forever. Leon will be missed by so many who dearly loved him, and we will cherish all the happy times with him. He had an unconditional love for his family and a gracious, giving heart. Leon's favorite saying was, “There's good, and there's bad, so let's pick out the good things and make the best of it.” Leon is survived by Marie, his wife of 73 years; 2 sons, Leon Cazin Jr. and Michael Cazin; 2 daughters, Martha (Ernest) Lowe and Cindy Megerle; Grandchildren: Stephanie (Rory) McCollister, Alex Lowe, Hannah (Josh) Vance, Sarah (Jimmy) Justice, Nicholas (Natasha) Williams, Jenna Cazin (fiancé Ben Lowe), Rachel Cazin. Great grandchildren: Samuel and Lila McCollister, Jersey, Brystol, and London Vance, Amelia Justice, Mia, and River Williams. Also, many nieces and nephews, in-laws, and a special nephew, Richard Murray. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 6th, 2024, at Krantz McNeely Funeral Home Chapel in Man. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home following the visitation with Pastor Herb Pruitt and Pastor Bobby Maxwell officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby. Pallbearers: Leon Cazin Jr., Martin Bailey, Nicholas Williams, Alex Lowe, Josh Vance, and Jimmy Justice In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Leon's memory to your local food pantry, your local church, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.