April 7, 1936 – July 23, 2024
Dr. Leonard Lewis Sankey, 88, of Union, Kentucky, passed away on July 23rd, 2024, after a
lengthy illness.
He was born on April 7, 1936, in Greenville, Pennsylvania, to William Paul Sankey and Leona Mae (Adams) Sankey. He is preceded in death by four brothers: Robert and Theodore, (both deceased in infancy), David Paul, and Billy Leroy.
He is survived by his sister, Betty Mae (Arden) McCartney.
On September 17, 1960, Leonard married Janet May (Ferguson) Sankey, and she survives. Three children, Pamela Beth, Anita Lavonne, and Leonard Marc, were born into this union. These three children brought wonderful spouses to the Sankey family, including Steve Stetler, who undoubtedly welcomed Leonard to Heaven, Edgar “Andrew” Bryan II, and Melodie (Miller) Sankey. These children blessed Leonard and Janet Sankey with eleven grandchildren: Maria (husband: Bryan) Robledo, Kent (wife: Jananne) Stetler, Heidi (husband: Scott) Streetman, Kate (husband: Matthew) Cragun, Edgar Andrew III (wife: Hannah), Grant (wife: Courtney), Tyler, and Taylor Bryan, Jordan (wife: Heidi), Cameron (wife: Sydney), and Logan (wife: Miranda) Sankey.
The Sankeys have eight great-grandchildren: Kaden Kent and Crew Stephen Stetler, Sophia Jade Robledo, Maverick Ray, Lillie Olivia, and Basil Ray Cragun, Edgar Andrew IV (Andy) and Emberlynne Rae Bryan, Mason Lewis, Harper Rebecca, and Sullivan David Sankey. (Haze Wren Streetman is on the way).
Leonard attended public schools and graduated from Penn High School in 1954. He enrolled at God’s Bible School, Cincinnati in 1954 and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible and Theology in May 1960. While a student at God’s Bible School, he worked in the composing room of The Revivalist Press (about 36 months as a student worker) and later three months at Wesley Press, Marion, IN. He was also employed as an orderly at the Christ Hospital in Mount Auburn, Cincinnati, OH. He traveled extensively in music ministry as a GBS student (1954 to 1959). He was a member of over 30 different quartet combinations.
Leonard joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1952 and maintained membership until 1962 when he was ordained to the ministry. From 1982 until March 2020, Leonard was a Faith Mission Church, Bedford, IN member. In 2020, he reunited with the Wesleyan Methodist Church (original Allegheny Conference) and was received as an ordained elder.
After their marriage, Janet joined Leonard’s life, and together, they traveled from September 1960 to June 1961 in both singing and preaching ministry. In June 1961, they began pastoring the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Clarksburg, WV. In June 1962, they affiliated with Evangelistic Faith Missions (Bedford, IN) and sustained ministry with EFM until May 1979. During that time, they were doing missionary work in Guatemala and Honduras; Leonard founded the EFM work in Honduras, and it continues to grow and continue to this day. He also served EFM in deputation work, home office responsibilities, and as Interim Director.
In September 1979, Leonard began pastoring Faith Mission Church in Bedford and continued for 30 years; during that time, he served as founder and administrator of Stone City Christian Academy (1980 to 2009). Across his 64 years of ministry, Leonard served on a variety of boards: Society of Indian Missions, Society of Indian Missions Canada, Florida Evangelistic Association, God’s Bible
School and College, Faith Mission Church, Stone City Christian Academy, and the Interchurch Holiness Convention. Leonard served as General Secretary of the Interchurch Holiness Convention for 19 years (1997 – 2016), a role that would influence the lives of thousands worldwide. He left his mark on young ministers who aspired to his life of consistency, compassion, and common courtesy. He served as Assistant to H.E. Schmul for many years. He began his involvement with IHC in 1955 and remained passionately involved until the days preceding his death. IHC was the passion of Leonard’s lifelong ministry.
He dearly loved and championed IHC until the very end of his life. He worked with the Overcomers, School of the Prophets, Cornerstone, area/regional IH conventions, and the Annual Interchurch Holiness Convention.
Leonard’s preaching ministry carried him all over the United States (36 States), and around the world: Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Northern Ireland, Egypt, Ukraine, and South Africa. He served as editor of both the Missionary Herald and the Convention Herald. For many years, he served as a devotional writer for Opening the Word (Herald and Banner Press). He wrote articles for the God’s Revivalist, the Missionary Herald, and the Convention Herald. Leonard was granted the Doctor of Divinity degree from God’s Bible School and College during the School’s 100th anniversary in 2000.
He is now gone from us but will never be forgotten. His impact for God’s Kingdom is immeasurable and will last throughout eternity. Well Done, General Sankey, “Good and Faithful Servant.”
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, July 27, 2024, in the J. Wesley Adcock Chapel at God’s Bible School, 1810 Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, with Rev. Marc Sankey officiating.
You may view the funeral service via live stream at https://ihc247.com/.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at God’s Bible School and College and from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Faith Mission Church, 1801 26th Street, Bedford, Indiana. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford.
Memorial contributions may be offered to God’s Bible School and College in Leonard’s memory by
clicking here.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Sproles Family Funeral Home in New Castle, Indiana. You may offer the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com.
The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Dr. Leonard Lewis Sankey.
