Births 01/12/03

Shaffer

Son to Jason and Jenny Shaffer of Florissant, Mo., St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, 2:28 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2002. Name, Benjamin Alden. Weight, 7 pounds 7 ounces. First child. Mrs. Shaffer is the former Jenny Lage, daughter of Wally and Dori Lage of Cape Girardeau. She is a teacher at Sacred Heart School in Florissant. Shaffer is the son of Terry and Sharon Shaffer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is a representative with Fresenius Medical Care.

Stepp

Son to Melissa Renee Stepp of Advance, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:35 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003. Name, Keaton Angelo. Weight, 5 pounds 8 ounces. Third child, first son. Miss Stepp is the daughter of Teresa Stepp of Dexter, Mo. She is employed at VTG Audio in Advance.

Gerler

Son to Lee and Becky Gerler of Ironton, Mo., Parkland Medical Center in Farmington, Mo., 4:46 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003. Name, Daniel Lee. Weight, 7 pounds 14 ounces. First child. Mrs. Gerler is the former Becky Naeger, daughter of Lawrence and Kay Naeger of Springfield, Ill. She is a pharmacist at Wal-Mart in Fredericktown, Mo. Gerler is the son of Ed and Ann Gerler of Gordonville. He is a trooper with Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Leech

Son to Walter Allen and Clare Leech III of Chico, Calif., Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., 8:43 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002. Name, Zackary Allen. Weight, 7 pounds 8 ounces. Second child, first son. Mrs. Leech is the former Clare Memoracion, daughter of Efrem and Beth Memoracion of Chico. She is director of Bright Beginning Daycare/Preschool. Leech is the son of Walter A. and Patricia Leech Jr. of Jackson. He is a computer cartographer with Graphic Impressions.