Leroy Waltmann

Leroy Waltmann – a committed Christian music minister, loving husband and father, and a proud veteran of the United States Army – passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday January 16, 2022 after battling lingering affects of COVID-19. The Taneytown resident was 64. An avid bowler, animal lover, and enthusiastic collector of artful beer steins (a passion he acquired while stationed in Germany), Leroy started life on December 19, 1957 in Seoul, South Korea – the oldest of two boys born to Frederick and Tuk-Sil Waltmann. The family moved to Hawaii six months after Leroy’s birth and soon welcomed younger brother Leonard (Lenny) to their new island home. The boys’ education included music and piano lessons – an endeavor which would eventually find college-bound Leroy in a touring trio with a cellist and a violin player. Discovering at 19 that college life was not to his liking, Leroy enlisted in the service – spending the last 4½ years of his eight-year Army career as a drill sergeant. Leaving the Army, Leroy became a correctional officer – first in Idaho and then in Maryland. Behind bars, his booming voice and drill sergeant-demeanor opened eyes and commanded respect. He often said that respect allowed him the invaluable opportunity to show compassion to the men he guarded. Simultaneous to his correctional work, Leroy put his musical education into practice, teaching at the Community College of Baltimore County and taking positions as a choir director at several local churches. Leroy held his final position as Choir Director at Halethorpe Community Church for 17 years. Leroy Waltmann loved sharing his music and he loved meeting people. But most importantly, he loved his Lord. His devotion to his family, his friends, his church and his Savior could be seen in how he lived his life verse: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Tuk-Sil. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Lynn (nee Thomas); children Naomi Moeller and her husband Scott, Aaron Waltmann and his wife Sarah, Rebekah Waltmann, Joshua Waltmann and his wife Jordan, and Hannah Waltmann and her husband Linden Strand. Leroy is also survived by his younger brother Lenny Waltmann and his wife Kathy; by stepsons Jeremy Quist and his wife Tiffany, and Marc Quist and his wife Megan; by 12 grandchildren; and by brother-in-law David Thomas. Services and a viewing for Leroy Waltmann will take place at Halethorpe Community Church on Friday January 21, 2022. Friends are invited to pay their respects from 10:30 until noon. A Christian home-going service – officiated by Lead Pastor Frank Wray – will immediately follow the open viewing from 12:00 to 1:00. Interment will take place at a future date at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, Maryland. Funeral services provided by Ambrose Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leroy’s memory to: Halethorpe Community Church 1312 Francis Ave. Halethorpe, Maryland 21227.