Elsie G. Leach

Elsie Gertrude Leach, 68, of Wappapello died Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Mrs. Leach was born Jan. 30, 1941 in Lawrence, Kans. She was of the Catholic faith, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Leach enjoyed singing and yodeling, crocheting, working puzzles, solving crossword puzzles and soduko and was an avid collector of elephants, jewels and dolls as well.

On June 30, 1973 she married Jalon Richard Leach in Las Vegas, Nev. He preceded her in death on May 2, 2008.

Survivors include five children: John Francis Steele, Jr. and wife Susana of Apple Valley, Calif., Lena K. Addeo and husband John, of Stockton, Calif., Terry L. Braun and husband Frank, of Wappapello, Sharron K. Charles and husband Geoffrey of Lakewood, Calif. and Lori Ann P. Saunders and husband Daniel, of Norwalk, Calif.; three step-children: Jalon R. Leach, Jr. of San Francisco, Calif., Jeffery R. Leach, of Sweden and Janine R. Tiller and husband Jimmy of Pittston, Mich.; 18 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Welty, of Idaho and Thelma Mullinix, of Burlingame, Kans.; and a brother, Ralph ""Mike"" Mowder, of Idaho.

Her parents, Chester and Maude Thelma (Alexander) Mowder preceded Mrs. Leach in death.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Monday in the Chapel with the Rev. Jim Schremp officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn section of the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.