Marjorie F. Leefers, 92, of Carlinville, died at her home on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Burial will be in Moore Cemetery.
She was born September 8, 1930, in Gillespie, to Paul and Zelma (Besanceney) Lancaster. Mrs. Leefers was married June 23, 1951, in Gillespie to James D. Leefers of Carlinville. He preceded her in death in 2013.
She graduated from Gillespie High School in 1948, before working at Lesem’s Dept. Store in Gillespie until 1951. She then worked at Walker’s Dime Store in Carlinville, as well as the Montgomery Wards Order Office. From 1962-1989 she worked for Schien Body and Equipment Co. as a bookkeeper. She then worked for Konneker-Brown from 1990 until she retired in June of 1994.
She was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, where she served on several committees, including volunteering at the Carlinville Food Pantry. She was a charter member of the Elk’s Ladies Organization and held several offices in that organization. She was chosen by the Carlinville Elk’s Lodge and the West Central District in 1999-2000 as Elk Lady of the Year. In February 2000 she was honored by the Carlinville Elk’s Lodge with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mrs. Leefers enjoyed collecting news articles on family and friends and many other items in scrapbooks. She also kept a lot of information on the Elk’s Organization for her husband. She did a great deal of research on family genealogy of both sides of her and her husband’s families. She enjoyed sewing, making blankets and quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also liked putting puzzles together.
Her happiest times were when the family would get together for a pot-luck dinner. She loved watching the grandchildren and great-grandchildren all play ball, hunt Easter Eggs, open Christmas presents and have fun all together.
She loved traveling to the Elk’s National Conventions with her husband. It gave her a chance to see so many different fascinating ways of life. She also liked to collect small pencil sharpeners which she had over 300 at one time and Pillsbury Dough-Boy items, along with going to auctions with her husband and collecting Fostoria Glass.
Along with her husband, Mrs. Leefers was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bob Lancaster and his wife Naomi, an infant sister Betty, and sister-in-law, Daisy Lancaster.
She is survived by two sons Paul D. (Holly) of Litchfield, and James L. (Tina) of Coffeen, a daughter Gail (Jack) Sanson of Carlinville, five grandchildren, Michelle (Doug) Wernsing of Litchfield, Karie (Greg) Pollard, of Girard, Adam Leefers and his partner Katie Barnhart of Grand Rapids, MI, Matthew (Alicia) Leefers of Dalton City, and A.J. (Abby) Sanson of Wentzville, MO. Her six great-grandchildren are Landon Paul Wernsing and Carter Dean Wernsing of Litchfield, Henry Cole Pollard of Girard, Nolan James Leefers of Dalton City, Reilly Grace Sanson of Wentzville, MO, and Aiden Wayne Barnhart Leefers of Grand Rapids, MI. She also leaves behind a brother Bill Lancaster of Gillespie, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
Please visit www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in her memory.
