Emily passed away on July 3, 2013. She was born on July 5, 1919, to John and Maryann Jane Wharton and was raised by William and Margaret Wharton. She was brought up on a dairy farm in the Chehalis Valley where she attended Montesano High School.
Emily married Arthur E. Leithold on March 23, 1940. He preceded her to Heaven in 1985. They moved from Aberdeen to Tacoma in 1951 and pastored a small church in Summit View for several years. Emily taught Christian Education for over 60 years with over 18 of those years at South Assembly where she was active with the senior adults. At the present time she was attending Abundant Life in Lakewood.