Chad Michael Leonetti, 47, passed away unexpectedly at home on December 14th, 2022.
He was born February 20th, 1975, to Terri Leonetti. He is the son of Terri Leonetti and Jerry Thomas. He lived on the South Side of Des Moines his entire life. Chad attended Lincoln High School and this just might be the beginning of the story as “Heaven just gained Southside’s favorite Italian”.
Chad was loved by everyone he met and very quickly made new friends everywhere he went. He loved nothing more than to take care of his family and all who became “his family”. One of his favorite things to do was to make Sunday sauce with his mom and nephew. He would put his post “Din Din” with pics and then deliver.
Chad took care of everyone around him, never putting himself first. He loved taking care of his parents and running errands, again making new friends at every stop along the way. No matter where he was going or what he was doing he made friend. Marketplace pick-up’s (for his mom), grocery store, garage sales- there was always a story behind every stop and a new friend made. If you knew Chad you saw what it really meant to love, be kind, and show true compassion for everyone. He’d give you his last dollar if he thought it could help.
Everyone who knew Chad, loved Chad. As soon as he saw you, he would hug you, even if you were mad at him. He loved kids and everyone’s kids loved him. Most called him Uncle Chad. He loved to “stop by” and when he did, he always had a little present or gift for you or your kids. He loved the holidays and celebrating, decorating, and being with family. Halloween was Chad’s favorite holiday. He would dress up and make sure he was outside ready for all “his kids” to stop by for candy with their parents who were his best friends that he called his family. Chad loved sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Iowa Hawkeye fan. Never missing a post to Facebook “CUBS WIN”.
Chad is survived by his parents Terri Leonetti and Jerry Thomas, sister Angela (Jay), brother Michael, Nephews Brandon Leonetti (Jess), Logan Atkinson, and Dominic Leonetti. Nieces Amanda McGregor (De’Angelo), Bailey Plant (Jake), Emily Atkinson, Great nieces Ainsley Plant, Giana Leonetti, Amelia and Eleanor Stodgel. Great nephew David Lynch. Aunt Pam Leonetti, Uncles Pete Leonetti, Tommy Leonetti and Frank Leonetti. Step siblings Jerry Thomas (Sheri), Jim Thomas and stepsister Sherry Thomas (Troy).
Preceded in death by his grandparents Pete Sr. and Colleen Leonetti, Aunt Patti Sanders, Uncle Tony Leonetti and Cousin Joe Sanders and stepbrother Gary Thomas.
There will be a visitation on Wednesday, December 21st at Sunset Memorial Chapel from 4:00-7:00pm. The gathering will be livestreamed at the following link: https://player.vimeo.com/video/782600491?h=b43b20123a