Background
Amstutz, Leora Edwards was born on September 12, 1909 in Marion, Indiana, United States. Daughter of Charles W. and Josephine (Bouvier) Edwards.
Amstutz, Leora Edwards was born on September 12, 1909 in Marion, Indiana, United States. Daughter of Charles W. and Josephine (Bouvier) Edwards.
Student, Sherwood College Music and Dramatic Art, 1926—1928.
Professional dramatic reader, soloist, director plays, actress in amateur plays, platform and pulpit speaker, since 1923. Executive secretary Waukegan Area Council Churches, 1952—1969. Founder Waukegan Area Church Women United, 1952.
Producer, commentator own radio program Religion in News, Station WKRS, since 1958. Secretary organizing board management Lake County Mental Health Clinic, 1959—1969. Producer, narrator Songs of Faith, 1978.
Chairman Radio Ministry.
Council member Girl Scouts United States of America, 1937—1945, vice president, 1939, president, 1940—1943, treasurer, 1943—1945. Board directors Young Women’s Christian Association, 1945—1952. Secretary board directors North Lake County Mental Health Society, 1953—1970.
Board directors Lake County Welfare Council, Community Chest, United Service Organizations. Vice president organization board 1st vice president Civic Music Association. Secretary organization board Lake County Council Alcoholism, member advisory board.
Treasurer Lake County Welfare Council, 1961—1967. Co-founder, member executive board Waukegan Area Interfaith Conference Religion and Race, since 1963. Organizer 1st Interfaith Women's Council, since 1964.
Organizing member board directors Lake County Music Center. Member American Field Service Exchange Student Organization. Charter board member Office of Economic Opportunity Volunteer Advisory Council.
Board member Chicago Home Missionary Society. Member education committee American Cancer Society. Member advisory council Lake County Health Department.
Member Lake County Urban League. Board directors, charter member Christian Church Supplies, Inc., since 1972. Board directors, president Victory Hospital Auxiliary, member hospital governing board.
Member Victory Hospital Association. Board directors, president Friends Library. Waukegan, 1981—1984; board directors Lake County Blumberg Memorial Blood Bank, 1976—1982, Happy Day Nursery School, since 1979.
Committee member Lake County Board Welfare Services, since 1978. Board directors Waukegan Area Crimestoppers, since 1982. Member home service committee American Red Cross.
Advisory committee member Practical Nurse Program, 1955—1970. Religious coordinator, celebration producer Waukegan Bicentennial Commission. Member council laity Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, since 1981.
Chairman Waukegan Bicentennial Year Celebration of America Methodism, 1984. President administrative board 1st United Methodist Church, since 1978. Voting member Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Church.
Member of Women's Christian Temperance Union, League of Women Voters (radio chairman), Altrusa Club (director, Named Outstanding Woman in Lake County History 1976), Woman's Society Christian Service (past president), Planned Parenthood Auxiliary Lake County, National Association Council Secretaries (national executive board 1965-1968), Family Service Agency, Waukegan Symphony Association (founder), Community Concert Association, International Platform Association (numerous offices and committee memberships in church organizations), Woman's Club.
Married Melvin E. Amstutz, November 21, 1931 (divorced January 1970). Children: Carol Dawn Amstutz Kozma, Joy Diane Amstutz Caldwell.