Leslie A. Lembeck , 80, of Columbia City, died at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Millers at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Born on December 13, 1943, in San Diego, California, she was the daughter of the late Julius Irvin and Joy Dorothy (Rogers) Poehlman.  Growing up in the San Diego area, she graduated from Point Loma High School in 1961. She continued her education at San Diego State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1964.  She then attended Point Loma Nazarene University to earn a Master's in Educational Administration.

She started teaching middle school English in 1965 and taught at Lakewood School District in California until her retirement in 2000.

In 2014, Leslie moved to Columbia City and became a member of the Community Church in Warsaw.

She enjoyed gardening, particularly her flowers.  Very fond of cats, she adopted many from the local shelter.  Impressed with the Whitley County Humane Society mission, she became a strong financial supporter.

Surviving are her brothers, David and Richard Poehlman, both of San Diego.

It was Leslie's desire to have no services.  Arrangements by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials in Leslie's honor are to the Whitley County Community Foundation for "Leslie A. Lembeck Fund for Animal Welfare."