Obituary
Guest Book
1924
2012
1155 Shipyard Blvd
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wallace Samuel Leinwand, 88, of Elizabethtown died peacefully on December 6, 2012, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Branchville, SC, on January 29, 1924, the only child of Isaac and Flora Pearlstein Leinwand. After moving from Branchville at the age of 13, he graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1942.
Wallace entered the United State Air Force in 1943, during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946. Returning to Elizabethtown, he went into business with his father at Leinwand's. Eventually Wallace took over the operation of the department store, which is now a landmark in Elizabethtown as the oldest continuous business in the county seat – 77 years and stronger and more viable than ever.
In 1947, Wallace married Shirley Gintel, a native of New York, whom he met while being stationed in Miami Beach. They were partners in the business for about 60 years. Mrs. Leinwand continues to be the bookkeeper in the store.
During his career, Mr. Leinwand was more than just a store owner. He was the heartbeat of the town and Bladen County for the last half of the 20th Century. All encompassing civic pride was woven into the fabric of his being. The following are some of his numerous accomplishments: He served as Mayor Pro-Tem, then later, Mayor of Elizabethtown during the 1990's. In addition, Wallace served as a leader of several organizations, including President of Elizabethtown Rotary Club, where he was also a Paul Harris Fellow; President of Elizabethtown Jaycees; Vice-President of the North Carolina Jaycees; and the Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce, where he was recently given an honorary lifetime membership.
Wallace has also been a member of several other civic organizations, among them: Bladen County Shrine Club for 60 years (a charter member); Bladen County Masonic Lodge for 50 years (a charter member), having achieved the 32nd degree; and the Elizabethtown Optimist Club (a charter member).
In addition, Mr. Leinwand has served as Chairman of the East Bladen High School Advisory Council; member of the Board of Directors of the former Wachovia Bank; and also, he was the Bladen County Chairman of the Battleship North Carolina fundraising effort that brought the ship home to Wilmington 50 years ago.
As if Wallace did not do enough in his lifetime, his biggest love, after his family and his town and county, was his love of athletics. He was a founding organizer of the Elizabethtown Little League Baseball program, and there is a baseball park in Elizabethtown named in his honor. But his love of athletics was even more widespread, as he was a chief booster and avid supporter of Elizabethtown High School, Bladen Central High School, East Bladen High School and middle school sports.
Being a dedicated follower of his faith, Wallace was a member of three area synagogues: Beth Israel Synagogue in Whiteville, where he served as President; B'nai Israel Synagogue in Wilmington; and Temple Emanuel in Myrtle Beach.
Mr. Leinwand is survived by Shirley, his wife of 65 years; his three children Dr. Jeffrey Leinwand, of Raleigh; Ricky Leinwand and wife Eileen, of Elizabethtown, now the owners of Leinwand's; and Sharon Leinwand, of Raleigh; his four grandchildren, Brian and wife Amber; Justin and wife Blythe; Michael and wife Sharon; Erica and husband Morgan; and one great-grandson, Luke.
The family will receive friends at the Leinwand home on Clark Boulevard and 2nd Avenue, in Elizabethtown. The funeral service will be held at B'nai Israel Synagogue, located in Wilmington at 2601 Chestnut Street, on Sunday, December 9, 2012, at 2 p.m., with a burial at the Hebrew Cemetery in Wilmington to follow. Coble-Ward Funeral Home in Wilmington will handle all funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in honor of Wallace Leinwand to Leinwand Park, C/O P.O. Box 756, Elizabethtown, NC 28337, or to the charity of your choice.
The staff of Coble Ward-Smith is honored to serve the family of Wallace Samuel Leinwand.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 17, 2012
A Memorial Gift has been presented to Godwin Heights Baptist Church in memory of Mr. Wallace S. Leinwand by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gibson, 315 Barker Ten Mile Road, Lumberton, NC 28358. This gift will be acknowledged in our weekly bulletin and in our Book of Memorials and Honor begun in 2011.
December 10, 2012
HELENA HEYWARD
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD. MAY YOU FIND SOME PEACE AS TIME PASSES.OUR PRAYERS ARE WITHYOU.
December 9, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.We are so sorry for your loss,he will truly be missed.
Benny and Kathy Callihan, Clarkton,NC
December 9, 2012
Rick Hester
Our world is a better place because of Mr. Wallace Leinwand.
December 9, 2012
Allison Smith
My sister Melissa and I were going through our mothers things about 3 weeks ago. We found some of her most valued treasures. Among these was a letter from Aunt Shirley when our father Alfred Gene Smith passed away. It was the only sympathy letter she had saved. It had been in her special drawer for 30years. It was so touching and she was in the hospital as she wrote it. One of the nurses had come into her room to tell her of his death. Tears streamed down our faces as we read it. Uncle Wallace and Aunt Shirley, as we have always called them, meant and mean the world to our family.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Allison Smith and Melissa Smith McNeill
December 9, 2012
Allison Smith
A few weeks ago my sister and I were going though our mom Vera Smith's most valuable treasures that she held close to her heart and saved over the years. As we were looking through things we found a letter. It was from Aunt Shirley when our father Alfred Gene died. That was the only sympathy letter she had saved for the last 30 years. It touch our hearts with her kind words and remembering out father. She was actually in the hospital when she wrote it. Uncle Wallace and Aunt Shirley, as we always have called them, means the world to our whole family.
With our deepest Sympathy,
Allison Smith and Melissa McNeill
December 8, 2012
Wallace was the sweetest man he would always give me a kiss on the cheek when Jack and I came in the store. He will be missed and our sympathy goes to your entire family. Jack and Doris Moss, Clayton NC
December 8, 2012
Katherine Quinn
Always remember how Wallace welcome ever
time .I go in the store and always give
a good price .my heart go out to all
the family may God be with you
December 7, 2012
Gary Padgett
Always remember how Wallace made me feel welcome in being a new member of thee community, back in "83", always greeted ya with smile! Thankin about Ricky & thee rest of his family! God Bless!
December 7, 2012
ricky and family
our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief
brian anita and jayden willington
December 7, 2012
bob Gooden
good man.
December 7, 2012
Barbara Jeanne Bennett Lambert
Please know that your family is very much in our thoughts and prayers. Wallace was a wonderful man and family friend from many years ago. He will be greatly missed. With our heartfelt prayers ~ Barbara Jeanne ("Tootsy") Bennett Lambert and daughter Barbara (Daughter & grandaughter of Dr. & Mrs. E.C. Bennett)
December 7, 2012
Dear Shirley and family. We grieve with you all. We only have fond memories of Wallace and you all during our time in Elizabethtown. May the Lord be with you and strengthen you dunrng your time of grief. Dot and Jay Mills, Burgaw
December 7, 2012
Barbara & Joseph Scheib
Our deepest sympathy goes to the entire Leinwand family. Wallace was my father's favorite cousin and always had good thoughts about him. Hopefully they can now get together and laugh with each other as they did when both were with us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barbara and Joseph Scheib
December 7, 2012
Ricky and family, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I loved shoping in the store and cutting up with him. He was a wonderful person and a joy to be around. Althoug I have not lived in E-town for many years I still miss it and the friends I had there. My thoughts and prayers are with and your family.
Dawn Luce (formerly Dawn Boyer:Boyer Med Inc.
December 7, 2012
So sorry to hear of your dad's death Ricky. Pls extend my sympathy to all of your family. Bob Eakins
December 7, 2012
Will Woodell
Mr. Leinwand was a giant of a man to me as a child and teenager. A busy adult who was quick to be kind or share a joke or a tease with a kid. He was a huge presence for good in Etown. All comfort to you.
December 7, 2012
Terry and Brenda Moore
Dear Ricky and family,
Special thoughts and prayers to each of you. We always enjoyed chatting with your dad as we shopped with you during many of our visits to White Lake. May God's Grace and wonderful memories bring you comfort.
December 7, 2012
Julia Blackburn Anderson
What a wonderful picture you chose. This is how I remember Mr. Wallace, always smiling and gently teasing. I am thankful to have known him.
December 7, 2012
Ben Kinlaw
We were deeply saddened to learn of your loss, and extend our sincere condolences to the family.
We are thankful for Wallace community service and appreciate his service to our country as a Air Force veteran. He was a member of the "Greatest Generation" serving during WWII.
Our prayer is God will comfort you in your time of sorrow, and you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
December 7, 2012
Allison Hardin
I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Wallace's passing. Such an amazing life, and such a wonderful legacy left behind - not just the store or the park, but the family as well. Mr. Wallace, thanks for all the hugs and help. Passing on those hugs to the Leinwand family, along with prayers for God's comfort, and peace that passes all understanding.
December 6, 2012
Thinking of you during this difficult time. My earliest memories include Wallace and Shirley.
December 6, 2012
Your family are in our prayers during this time. Cherish all the precious memories. Johnny and Marguerite Coble
December 6, 2012
Cathy Register
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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