On July 26, 2026, Leo Clifton Cornell, age 62, peacefully passed away with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Cadillac, Michigan on January 23, 1964, to Richard and Janette (Hickey) Cornell, who have preceded him in death.

Leo led a calm and peaceful life with a quirky sense of humor and was a true warrior to his family and friends and served with a gracious heart. He was always ready and willing to silently help those in need and loved deeply. In his childhood years, Leo could be found at the lake every weekend in the summer jet skiing and fishing with his nieces and nephews who he adored. Ending the night with a bonfire was a staple and he continued his presence at his uncle’s lake house well into his adulthood. Everyone cherished Uncle Leo.

After graduating from Cadillac Public Schools, he attended Northern Michigan University for a short time and came home to be a caregiver for a quadriplegic, and unbeknownst to him, started his career in the grocery industry and worked for several stores in many positions and eventually retired. Leo had many lifetime friends and relatives. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, gambling, playing softball, and going on trips to Las Vegas to “win the empire.” He was an enthusiastic fan of the Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and the Detroit Red Wings.

He finally met the love of his life, Shandra Eisenga, and they were planning a future together until her unexpected passing in August 2023. He was married in spirit to Shandra on January 23, 2024. He held genuine to the couple’s hopes and dreams and shared that passion and commitment with his stepchildren, Brandon and Amber Herlein and his grandchildren Porter and Reyna who survive him.

The couple spent time attending their grandchildren’s sporting events, overnight stays, and took a week-long trip to the Upper Peninsula touring the true beauty and landmarks it has to offer. After Shandra’s passing, the family became advocates due to the circumstances surrounding her death. In December 2024, the family was able to go to Washington, D.C. to witness the passing of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of Shandra. This was a memory that will never be erased and the cause continues.

Leo is also preceded in death by his brother, Robert “Bob” Cornell and father-in-law, Jerry Eisenga, and survived by his siblings, Diane Gladu of Cadillac, Raymond (Anita) Cornell of Tustin, and Colleen (Tom) VanDeVelde of Wesley Chapel, Florida, sister-in-law Virginia Cornell, and many nieces and nephews as well as his spouse’s family, Karla Eisenga, Tarin (Brian) Brunink, Gary (Dawn) Eisenga and Jason Eisenga. The Cornell, Herlein (Eisenga) families as well as his friends have been brought together and blended to continue an honored legacy.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Burkholder-Nielsen Funeral Home in McBain, Michigan, and burial will take place at the Highland Hillside Cemetery. Per Leo’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a casual Celebration of Life will be held on August 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM in The Greenhouse at the Willow. After the service, there will be an open style luncheon and visitation with all those who loved and admired Leo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Veterans Serving Veterans organization. A special and heartfelt thanks goes out to the staff and administration at Grace Haven Senior Living Center and Hospice of Michigan for its exceptional care and support during this time. Thoughts and prayers may be left at burkholderfunerals.com.