Don Lee Leibenguth

Don Lee Leibenguth, 87, the son of Leslie Bell Leibenguth and Florence Irene Kimbro, of Eldorado, Illinois passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024 at 5:15 pm.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Reeder) Leibenguth and his son, Brian Dean Leibenguth.  Don and his twin sister, Peggy, were born in Eldorado, May 21, 1937, and went to Beulah Heights Grade School, graduated from Eldorado High School in 1954 then attended Louisiana State University. Don was industrious and worked his entire life starting as a paperboy and at Kroger’s when he was young.  He served six years in the U.S. Army and the National Guard.  He worked at Wasson Lumberyard and Peabody Coal Company before starting his own business, Leibenguth Building and Construction.  During his 35 years in business, he built many homes and commercial buildings across Southern Illinois including the Farmer’s State Bank, the Harrisburg Family Practice Center and the Dialysis Center at the hospital in Harrisburg, Illinois. Beyond his family, Don had three passions – Freemasonry, serving his community and fishing.  John R. Murphy brought Don into the Eldorado Masonic Lodge in 1971.  He first became a Master Mason before taking on the challenge to become a 32nd degree Mason at the Valley of Southern Illinois Scottish Rite.  As a Shriner, Don participated in many parades and fund-raising activities.  In recognition for meritorious service, in August of 2011 he was bestowed the honor of a 33rd degree Mason in Chicago, Illinois, the highest degree for a Master Mason.  As part of his service, he was a lifetime member of more than 10 lodges, including the Galatia Lodge and Ambassador for the Ainad Temple in St. Louis, Missouri. Community service was a key pillar of Don’s philosophy which he demonstrated by serving on several boards through his lifetime including: the Eldorado Police Department, the Saline County Housing Board, the Saline County Board, the Egyptian Health Board, the Raleigh Airport Board, the Saline County Building Commission, and the Saline County Sheriff Department Merit Board, which he continued to his death. Don loved to relax in Florida where he would fish and hang out with his buddies.  Over the years, Don traveled with family and friends to Florida, Canada and throughout the southeast to fish and visit family.  Don’s brother and three sisters predeceased him. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado.  Visitation will be 4-7 pm Friday, June 21, 2024 at the funeral home with Masonic Rites at 7:00 pm. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Shriners Children's hospital or the Children's Dyslexia Center-Belleville (A Scottish Rite Charity) and will be accepted at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com