Philip John (Michael) Leyden passed away peacefully in his home, Monday July 27, 2026. He was a long time Harvard, Illinois resident and had recently moved to Poplar Grove, Illinois with his wife of 60 years, Cheryl Lynn (Noe) Leyden.

Born on August 2, 1946 to Joseph E. and Gwendolyn O. Leyden in Elmhurst, Illinois he lived in Downers Grove with his parents and 3 brothers – Charles Leyden; Thomas Leyden; Richard Leyden – until they moved to Harvard, Illinois in 1958.

Graduating from Harvard High School in 1964, Phil enlisted in the United States Navy August 1965 and served until his honorable discharge in August 1969. Stationed in various cities in the United States to complete basic training and Class “A” Technical School to become an Aviation Structural Mechanic, he was deployed on the U.S.S. Roosevelt in 1966 where he “traveled the world” serving in the Vietnam War. He visited several European and Asian countries, and was initiated into the coveted Naval Equator Crossing Ceremony.

It was in Harvard that he met the love of his life, Cheryl Noe, while attending Harvard High School. They were married on March 26, 1966 at St. Joseph’s Church in Harvard. In June 1969 his first child was born, Shannan, followed by Tracy in October 1971 and Michael in October 1973. In August 1974, Phil and Cheryl moved from Downers Grove and bought a home in Harvard on Burbank Street, where they resided until November 2025 and later relocating to Poplar Grove.

Because of his amazing sense of humor, love of people and extroverted nature Phil was known by almost every Harvard resident. His father, Joe, was general manager of the Ford Motor Co. dealership located in Harvard and his mother, Gwen, would often send Phil with his dad to work which led to his lifelong love of automobiles. Phil would later become an auto mechanic in Downers Grove and perform autobody repairs at the shop he managed in Harvard. This knowledge was instrumental in his other professions – insurance sales for Country Companies and private investigator for Liston Services and Swanson Martin Bell law firm.

Phil possessed many talents and had varied interests. A great outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, trap shooting. While employed at Swanson Martin Bell, where he worked as their in-house investigator for 26 years, Phil was invited to their annual pheasant hunting trip in South Dakota which he always spoke about with fondness and shared stories of the laughter and joy on those trips. Golfing became a passion later in life, and he also enjoyed virtual flying on his home computer.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl and three children Shannan, Tracy, Michael and their spouses; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother Richard Leyden; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews.

Phil’s passing has left a gigantic void in all the lives he’s touched and all those he’s left behind. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.