Leander Paul was born in Walkerton on Saturday, June 22, 1974, to proud parents Lorne and Linda (Benninger) Emke. He joined his older brother, Leslie, with the family being made complete with the arrival of Lisa a year later. The Emke family resided on the 10th of Elderslie, just northeast of Paisley, where they raised sheep. From an early age, Leander loved everything life on the farm had to offer as he was a member of the local 4-H club, and enjoyed showing sheep, attending the Royal on more than one occasion. He and his siblings attended Paisley Central School, and like most teenage boys turned his attention to everything trucks, ATVs, and hunting as he aged. During these early years, he earned the nickname Tiger from his father, as Leander took up collecting Esso Tiger tail key chains, and I am told Leander squirreled them away literally everywhere – so the nickname stuck! He went on to complete his secondary education at Walkerton District High School. During this period of his life, mutual friends connected Leander and Wes “Wally” Hohl, and their friendship blossomed. When visiting the Hohl residence, Leander took a liking to Wes’ older sister, Melanie, and the pursuit began. After a great deal of work, and the occasional rejection, Mel finally accepted his advancements, and Leander joined her, and the crew, at the Elmwood Tavern, to celebrate her 20^th birthday. Their relationship quickly blossomed as after several months of dating Leander proposed, and the young couple were wed at the Hohl family farm on Saturday, June 6, 1998.

By this time Leander was working for Canada Agra, near Tiverton, as a Lead Hand. However, the shift work and distance from home were not ideal, so he returned to the team at B & L Farm Services, in April of 1999. He initially joined the fencing crew, and through the years worked his way up through the ranks as a dependable employee with a strong work ethic. Who knew then that Leander would dedicate the next 25 years of his life to this vocation as his role within the company grew and expanded, as he was a jack of all trades. If something needed to be done, Leander was your man, and if he initially didn’t know how to deal with the problem, he would figure it out and come up with a solution.

Together with Mel, they called the 6th of Elderslie home following their engagement and it was here where they welcomed their son, Tristin in 2000. Leander was a proud father and enjoyed spending any free time at home with his family. In 2002, they purchased their current home, on the 20th Sideroad, west of Chesley. Leander loved this property, his 32 acres of paradise, where he did everything and anything. His family was made complete in 2006, with the arrival of Lily, as his role as Dad grew. Life on the farm included a bit of everything through the years. There were cows and of course horses (a.k.a. hay burners) for the girls, and they quickly grew on him. Although the Emke family enjoyed many favourite pets through the years, Alley “The Barbie Horse”, Vegas, and Diesel, his beer-drinking buddy, were known to be some of Leander’s favourites. When not farming, cutting wood, hunting, or going for 4-wheeler rides with the kids, Leander could usually be found supporting the girls on the weekends at their horse shows. He would willingly help where needed and was their biggest fan!

Back at home, at his sanctuary, Leander could often be found working side by side with Tristin on their next project together. It didn’t matter if was milling lumber, starting up a new (for Leander) truck, making trails with the 4-wheeler, or enjoying a family bonfire, family was always important to him. He also enjoyed a walk through the bush, where he was surrounded by nature. Anyone who knew Leander knew of his passion for anything Dodge. He didn’t have many who enjoyed his similar taste in vehicles, however, Leander couldn’t care less he was a Dodge man through and through. Regularly Mel would witness yet another old Dodge truck often being trailered (not driven – so you can guess the shape it was in) onto the property. At one point, he had fifteen of them – seriously! He would use them for parts and scavenge off them before they were scraped or joined the Dodge graveyard on the property. It also should be mentioned that Leander loved the older trucks, nothing new, as the newest Dodge he ever owned, or drove was a 1992. When not working on a truck, his attention turned to the General Lee – his baby, in the garage where he spent hours envisioning the final product. Twenty-six years in the making I might add!

Like most of us, as well as the odd Emke, Leander loved to collect things, and was always on the lookout for a good deal… how do you think he amassed so many Dodges? Sorry, Leander, I couldn’t resist! Seriously though, more items arrived at the farm than left, and when he was running out of space, the next project was always to build another lean-too, for storage! If you don’t believe me, just ask his family about the multiple (not one or two) round bale feeders he bought at a single sale, in his words they were a “great deal”, so why not scoop them up, as you are never going to know when you need another one! This is just one example of countless similar experiences occurring through the years.

Leander loved the outdoors, and very much preferred to be outside, working with his hands. He enjoyed everything nature had to offer and was particularly fond of hunting with family and friends. In his limited time indoors, he had a handful of favourite movies, which were his go-to. They included “We’re the Millers,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and who could forget his favourite, “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Although not one to admit it, he was also drawn to the occasional chick flick. He would often sit down in his chair with some pepperettes, a bowl of peanuts, or a bag of chips, and join the girls as they watched a television show. After a while, he would be hooked and helped lead the charge to make sure they didn’t miss any future episodes. His go-to was “Pitch Perfect.” These relaxing evenings often included one of his favourite beverages, a cold Busch Light, which he regularly shared with family and friends alike. As a true farm boy, Leander’s diet often consisted of red meat, with some more meat on the side, topped with a generous helping of salt. All joking aside, he was well known for pulling pranks with Mel and the kids, and one of his favourites was the phantom chip bag. Here was his secret. Sit down and enjoy a bag of potato chips in either one or multiple sittings but be mindful to leave one or two chips in the bottom of the bag. Then proceed to blow into the bag (this is why this prank should only be done with immediate family and close friends), until the bag appears to be quite full, whereby you roll it up and leave it on the coffee table. Then you wait and hopefully witness the next person’s reaction. However, it is suggested that you remain at least one arm length (or leg length) away from the individual at the time!

Leander was a helpful, loving man, with a big heart. He would do anything for anyone and was never afraid of putting in some hard work to get the job done! As you have heard, and probably witnessed, Leander was entertaining, and always smiling. Everyone was always glad to see Tiger, and he could get along with anyone. Most importantly, he was so proud of his wife, and kids, as they were his world, and he would do anything to support them no matter the situation. However, like all of us, Leander was human and had his struggles. Sadly, he chose to keep these challenges to himself, and not confide in family and friends, or seek help and support. As a community, we all mourn his sudden passing and wish there was more we all could have seen, said, or done. We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it, so please support those you love through this difficult time, knowing that we are all trying to navigate this journey we call life the best we can. We are in this together!

Leander “Tiger” passed away suddenly at his beloved farm, a.k.a. Leander Land, on Friday, November 1, 2024, in his 51st year.

Beloved husband of Mel (Hohl). Cherished father of Tristin Emke (Breelyn Konrad-Dolson) of Owen Sound, and Lily Emke (Colton Tanner), at home. Loving son of Lorne Emke of R.R. #2 Dobbinton and Linda Godwin of Port Elgin. Dear brother of Leslie (Sherry) Emke of R.R. #2 Cargill, and Lisa Emke of Hanover. Tiger will be dearly missed by his special, fur son Diesel (his dog), best bud, and brother-in-law Wes Hohl (Hillary Makin) of Holland Centre as well as the entire Emke and Hohl families.

A casual come-and-go gathering honouring Leander’s life will be held at the Klages Mill, Chesley on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 5 – 9 p.m. Please come as Leander would want it, in blue jeans and work boots, as we celebrate this wonderful man, taken from us too soon. A celebration of Leander’s life will be held next summer at the family farm, where further memories and stories will be shared.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, or any other organization that supports men and their mental health would be appreciated.