Leo Dontanville, fifth of seven children of Wallace Dontanville and Josephine Elbert, was born in Pasadena January 18, 1889. He finished high school in Pasadena and worked for the construction company that Wallace Jr. had founded. Leo served in the United States Army during World War I. Following the war he continued in the highway construction field as an inspector with the Los Angeles County Road Department.

In the mid 1920s, Leo married Ada Magdalena Wreath, daughter of David and Emma Wreath from Iowa. They bought a home on East Orange Grove Avenue in Pasadena. In 1927 they adopted a son Marvin Joseph, born February 19, 1927. Ada's father, brother, and sister-in law were living with them in the house on Orange Grove Avenue in 1930.

Leo spent his entire career with Los Angeles County. He died August 15, 1956. When Ada was no longer able to care for herself, her son and daughter-in-law moved her to a private home in Long Beach where she received care. Ada died in Pacific Hospital in Long Beach on April 2, 1967. She was buried at Calvary Cemetery, in Los Angeles, next to Leo

225.1 Marvin Joseph Dontanville (1927 - 1983)
born in San Bernardino County, California, February 19, 1927, married, at St. Andrew's Church in Pasadena, to Joan Brennan from Oregon. Three children: Steven Craig, '54; Scott Lee, '56; and Stacey Ann, '67. Marvin died December 1, 1983 in Redondo Beach. Joan continues to live in their home in Manhattan Beach.

HOME

INDEX