Stephen Daniel

Lease

Stephen Daniel Lease (Dan) 81, of Toledo, OH passed away surrounded by loved ones at his home on April 6th, 2025. Dan was born April 10th, 1943, in Toledo, Ohio to Carl and Junita Lease.

Dan's life was filled with love, family, and adventure. He met the love of his life, Shirley A. Lease, and was married for 42 years. He was a dedicated family man, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Dan treasured his family time, especially the time visiting with the grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved being called "Papa" & "Pa Dan," and his family brought him immense joy.

Dan had a long and fulfilling career, working at Schemenauer Manufacturing as a project engineer, Earl's Incorporated as a typewriter doctor, and retiring after 25 years as the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the Ottawa Hills School System. He was a hard worker and took pride in his work, always striving to do his best. Even in retirement, Dan continued to help out with his son's business, Hop To It Lawn and Landscape LLC.

Music was a big part of Dan's life. As a child, he sang in the choir at Augsburg Lutheran Church, and he attended Perrysburg High, graduating in 1962. He loved playing the drums in the Perrysburg Marching Band. This early love of music stayed with him throughout his life, and he became known in the karaoke world as "Toledo Dan." People would call him Toledo Dan the karaoke man, and wherever there was karaoke, you could find Dan singing his heart out.

Dan was a jack-of-all-trades, able to fix just about anything. He had a wide range of hobbies and interests, from building and construction to working with wood, flying kites, and enjoying long walks on the beach. He loved rollerblading and taking vacations in Florida, and he cherished time spent with friends in his pool.

Dan's love for life was contagious, and he touched the hearts of everyone he met. He had so many friends and connections from a life filled with love that it's impossible to list. Please know that you all meant the world to him, and he cherished every moment he spent with each and every one of you. Dan loved his pets, and he was comforted by Keeba, Buddy, Ringo, and Cinnamon, who kept him relaxed and never lonely until the day he died.

Dan is survived by his wife Shirley A. Lease; his children Mike (Jodie) Lease, Aaron (Kelly) Lease, Laura (Rob) Hansen, Sandy Smith, Debi (Les) McDonald, and Soozy Hardy; his grandchildren Andrew, Brayden, Keziah, Jenny, Melanie, Matthew, Tristan, Tessa, Taylor (Matt) Simpson, and Tanner (Melissa) McDonald; his great-grandchildren Bentley, Beckett, Brynlee, and Cameron; his siblings Cookie (John) Schultz, Tom (Vreni) Lease; Uncle Bruce Pleskovic. Dan was preceded in death by his father Carl Lease and his mother Junita Lease, his sister Mary Ellen Beaton, and his Aunt Melinda Pleskovic.

The family will receive friends from 11 am - 6 pm on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary (now located at 1757 Tremainsville Rd.)
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Larry Micheals officiating. Visitation will resume after the ceremony until 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Dan would want you to help someone in need. Please pay it forward or consider making a donation to your local animal shelter in his honor. He would be deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity.