Elizabeth Ann (Casey) Leber

Elizabeth Ann Leber (Casey), 80, passed away peacefully August 31, 2023, in her home in Harrisburg, IL, with her son Eric Leber and sister Maryellen Davis by her side.

Liz was born January 26, 1943, in Tunnel Hill IL to Randolph and Edith Casey. She had five older siblings: Edith, George, Bill, Jim, and Johnny. With two younger ones to follow: Terry, and MaryEllen.

She attended the one room schoolhouse in Tunnel Hill, until she attended Vienna high school. Following high school graduation, she moved to Mt Carmel Illinois and attended Wabash College graduating with an associate degree. She also attended Beautician School in Mt. Carmel. She moved to Washington, DC and lived with her sister, Edith and her husband Dennis, for about a year. During that time, she worked at the FDIC as an Executive Secretary. She returned to Mt Carmel as she found that city life was not for her.  While living in Mt Carmel she met and married Edward Leber Jr. and they had one son, Eric Leber who joined Ed’s daughter Michelle and son Ed Jr. Following her divorce, she moved to Harrisburg, IL and began working for several years as a legal secretary for Arlie Boswell and later Walden Morris. After Mr. Boswell retired, she and Mr. Morris joined the law office of Jelliffe /Ferrrel. She took considerable pride in being a legal secretary. During this time, she also worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Jim Watson at Watson’s Furniture. Liz left the law office and worked at Kerr McGee for several years before starting her own business selling Alpine Air Purifiers. She enjoyed being her own boss and traveling to home shows, expos around the area and meeting people. She returned to the law office of Jeliffe/Ferrel/Morris/Doerge/Phelps eventually retiring permanently.

Friends described her as “fiercely independent”

To her family she was the “family rock,” always caring for others with her gentle and humble spirit.

Liz was a member of Little Chapel Church. She enjoyed providing donuts for Sunday school and loved being a part of their congregation. She loved gardening, always tending to her yard with meticulous care. Her home was a tremendous source of pride for her, considering she purchased it on her own, having to work numerous jobs, while raising her son Eric. She was an amazing cook and baker, with her signature creations being homemade bread and ice cream. Liz was also an active member in the Beta Kappa social sorority for many years and took immense pride in their Monopoly fundraiser event, which supported Cystic Fibrosis.

Through the years Liz was able to travel with friends and family. She went with her sister MaryEllen and her partner Joe to England, Wales, Ireland. On another trip she visited the Grand Canyon, Tetons, and spent time in the home of a Native American, tribal chief. She visited family across the US, with several trips to Florida, California, Texas, Arizona and one to Hawaii. Liz also made several trips to Montana to see her grandchildren, spending holidays and taking adventures in the mountains riding horses, 4wheelers. Memorable Montana trips also included visiting Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents Randolph and Edith, sister Edith Wilkerson, brothers George Casey, Terry Casey, Jim Casey, and nephew Kent Casey. Her brother Johnny and nephew Scott Casey have passed following her death.

She is survived by her son Eric Leber and his wife Erin, in Butte, MT, and her two grandchildren Mason and Sage. Stepdaughter Michelle Hadley and husband Austin, Pinckneyville, IL, Sister-in-law Jerry Casey and nephew Ricky Casey and wife Vicki, nephew David in Naples, Fl. Brother Bill Casey and his wife Catherine in Bastrop, TX. Nephew Neil and his wife Susan McCasland, Albuquerque, NM. Niece Beth McCasland, Buren, WA. Nephew Bruce and his wife Monique Wilkerson, Swansea, IL, and niece Cheryl DePriest. Sister Maryellen Davis Vienna, VA and nephew Aaron and wife Jennifer and their children Madelyn and Ben, nephew Andrew and fiancé Allison. Nephew Shannon Casey and his husband Jay, Boston, Mass., nephew Kevin. Cousin Rex Godber and his wife Jennie in Orlando, Fl. and their children Rob and Ansley. Great nephew Craig Richards, his wife Jessica, and son Barrett, Opdyke, IL. Great niece Candice Casey and her daughters Skye and Alye Mae, Harrisburg, IL. Julie Barger, whom she worked with at the law office, was like a daughter to her. Eric is also comforted by the Leber family in Sesser, Il who treated Liz like family through all the years.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for all of Liz’s friends and family, to honor her, on Saturday April 20th. Everyone is welcome to visit and share memories about her. It will be held at the Elks in Harrisburg, IL from 10am until noon. A program is planned from 11-1130 with the help of members from Little Chapel Church.

Look for me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye,

Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye,

Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.

In the evening sunset,

When all the world is through,

Just look for me and love me,

And I’ll be close to you.

It won’t be forever; the day will come and then

My loving arms will hold you,

When we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye,

Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.

Every waking moment and all your whole

Life through, just look for me and love me,

As you know I loved you.