Penny Leirer

Penny Suzanne Leirer, 48, of Jackson lost her battle with cancer at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. The Lord called her home Thursday, April 2, 2009.

One of five daughters, Penny was born Aug. 29, 1960, in Cape Girardeau, to Paul and Marilyn Grossheider Priest. She and Gary Leirer were married Oct. 16, 1982, in Jackson.

Penny was a very vibrant, exuberant and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and animal lover. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. She was a 1978 graduate of Jackson High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

When her daughters became old enough to attend preschool, Penny volunteered for the former Child Development Center in Jackson. When the girls moved on to St. Paul School, Penny moved with them, and was instrumental in fundraising for the school's "B" building addition. She was editor of the PTL Cook Book and worked on the school's annual auction, among others. Until recently, she worked as one of the school secretaries.

Penny joined Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville in 2005, where she served on the Ladies Aid and the Finance Committee.

Survivors of her immediate family are her husband, Gary of Jackson; two daughters, Amber Leirer and her fiance, John Hoffstetter, both of Kansas City, Mo., and Sammy Leirer of Jackson; her mother, Marilyn "Snook" Priest of Jackson; three sisters, Pam (Steve) Whaley of Jackson, Paula (Terry) Kurre of Massillon, Ohio, Para (Jeff) Snyder of O'Fallon, Mo; and 11 nieces and nephews.

Gary's surviving family includes his parents, Von and Joan Leirer of Atlanta, Mo.; a sister, Donna Leirer-Collison of LaFayette, Ind.; a brother, Mark Leirer of Rockford, Ill.; and four nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Priest; and a sister, Pat Agnew.

Friends may call from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 2009, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

A memorial service will be at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Hoffstetter officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Christ Lutheran Church or the forthcoming Southeast Hospital Cancer Center.

To submit online sympathy messages, or view Penny's online video, go to www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.