Leslie N. Lyle, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on September 11, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by the family who loved him dearly.
Les was born on February 8, 1948 in Orlando, Florida to Neil and Audrey Lyle. After moving to Daytona Beach, he played football at Mainland High School and apparently was pretty good, as he earned a scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he played linebacker and defensive line. He is perhaps best remembered in Vanderbilt team lore for a dramatic near-sack of Alabama quarterback Scott Hunter in the closing moments of Vanderbilt’s famous 14–10 upset over Alabama in 1969. Unfortunately for Les-and fortunately for anyone who enjoyed giving him a hard time about it-the play was ultimately whistled for offsides.
After Nashville, Les lived briefly in Chicago before settling in Cincinnati, where he met a good Catholic Cheviot woman named Julie. The two were married for 50 years and were immensely proud of the family they created. Les and Julie made a vivacious pair and shared a lifetime of interesting adventures. They surrounded themselves with an eclectic group of friends and never met a party they didn’t like.
Les worked for over 50 years in the shoe and leather industry, finding himself in far off places and encountering intriguing associates along the way. You never knew when one of Les’s friends from Mexico, Italy or the East Coast was going to show up for a visit. His compatriots from the South made their presence known as well, usually quite loudly.
His most treasured adventure, though, came when he graduated from Dad to Grandpa. Les never missed an opportunity to be around his seven grandchildren and was a constant presence on the sidelines, in the stands, on the court, and in the audience. Whether he was known as “Lessie Poo Poo,” “Papa Bulldog,” or the enthusiastic grandpa cheering on his “little termites,” Les made sure his grandchildren always knew he was there. His unmistakable presence will be missed at gyms, fields, schools, and family gatherings all over the west side of Cincinnati.
Les is survived by his wife of 50 years, Julie; his three children, Liz (Ryan) Thelen, Nick (Katie) Lyle, and Emily (Bryan) Hanna, his seven beloved grandchildren (Betty and Jack Thelen; Georgia and Lainey Lyle; Henry, Harrison and Hudson Hanna); his brother Perry Lyle; sister-in law Judy (Tom) Weber; sister-in-law Mary Jo Nelms; sister-in-law Nancy Sagar; sister-in-law Jane Siebels; brother-in-law Jack (Kathy) Greiner; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Audrey Lyle; his mother- and father-in-law, Betty and Joe Greiner; his nephew, Jeff Weber; and his cherished dog, Nugget.
There is no way to capture Les in a few paragraphs-and he probably wouldn’t have wanted anyone to try. Les was truly one of one-a legend in his own mind and ours, too.
Catholic mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard of Clairvaux on September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM. A private family burial will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery immediately following. Guests are encouraged to meet the family at Jim and Jack’s on the River from 12-4 for a celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Les’s memory to Always Lifting Spirits: The Jeff Weber Foundation.
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This obituary was published by Neidhard-Minges Funeral Home-Westwood.
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