Dennise M Leslie, 40, of Freedom, born March 26, 1967, mother of Jeffrey Kennedy and Christopher Kennedy, was killed in the line of duty as a volunteer firefighter responding to a fire on July 2, 2007. She was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

     She was a North Vigo High School Graduate. Dennise was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. She was a childcare provider, a licensed foster parent and had driven a Special Needs bus for the Spencer-Owen Community School System.

     Dennise was a volunteer firefighter with the Coal City Volunteer Fire Department where she held the positions of Secretary and President. She was also a member of the Owen County Rescue Team and the Rope and Water  Rescue Team. She was certified in mandatory firefighting, NIMS 100, 200 700, EVOC, CPR, First Aid, AED and Basic Auto Extrication.

     Mrs. Leslie is survived by her husband of 10 years Robert W. Leslie, sons Christopher Kennedy at home, Jeffrey (Alicia) Kennedy of Paxton, IN, mother and step-father Jim and Diana L. (Delp) Edwards of West Terre Haute, brother Daniel Neal of West Terre Haute, sister Jamie Edwards of West Terre Haute, grandparents Gerald Delp of Newport, Marjorie Parsley of Veetersburg and Rose Neal of Athens, TN.

   For more photos of the funeral and services for Firefighter Leslie, please click here