Obituary of James D. Leefers

James D. Leefers 84, of Carlinville, passed away Sunday afternoon, December 15, 2013 at Carlinville Area Hospital in Carlinville. James was born on June 25, 1929 to Lloyd and Mildred (Gooch) Leefers in Gillespie, IL. He was married on June 23, 1951 to Marjorie F. Lancaster of Gillespie. James is preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Dale, Wayne, Dean and Erlloyd Leefers. James graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1948. He was employed by Perottet-Leefers Hardware from 1948-1958, Leefers Hardware from 1958-1962, Schien Body and Equipment from 1962-1992 and Equipment Sales Co. from 1992 until his retirement in 1993. James was also a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and served as treasurer from 1995 thru 2000. James became a member of the Carlinville Elks Lodge #1412 in 1950 and served as the Exalted Ruler from 1958-1959, the District Vice-President from 1977-1978, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler from 1978-1979, Elks State Tiler from 1982-1983 and 1987-1988, Elks State Treasurer from 1984-1986, four terms as District Secretary and Chaired several District and State Committees. Through 2012 James attended 27 Grand Lodge Conventions and served as Secretary of Carlinville Elks continuously since 1974. On December 1, 1984 James was named "Mr. Elk" and " Secretary of the Year" by the Illinois Elks Association from 1993-1994. James was an honorary founder of the Elks National Foundation and voted Honorary Life Member on February 28, 2000. James received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Carlinville Elks in February 2006. James was also a member of the AARP. James is survived by his loving spouse, Marjorie Leefers of Carlinville; 2 sons, Paul D. (Holly) Leefers of Litchfield and James L. (Tina) Leefers of Coffeen, IL; daughter, Gail L. (Jack) Sanson of Carlinville; 5 grandchildren, Michelle (Doug) Wernsing of Litchfield and Karie (Greg) Pollard of Girard, Adam (companion, Kate Barnhart) Leefers of Bloomington, IN, Matthew (Alicia) Leefers of Dalton City, IL and A.J. Sanson of Chicago, IL; 3 great grandsons, Landon Paul Wernsing, Carter Dean Wernsing and Henry Cole Pollard, as well as a sister, Melba Reeve of Alpharetta, GA and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville with the Elks ritual performed at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Carlinville with Rev. Kevin Strope officiating. Burial will follow at Moore Cemetery, rural Carlinville. Donations Information Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul's Church Building Fund or the Elk's Children's Care Corporation. Directions Visitation: Davis Anderson in Carlinville Service: St. Paul's United Church of Christ Cemetery: Moore Cemetery