Jean M. Leech

Jean M. Leech, 94, of East Moline, Illinois, died Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, with The Rev. Dr. Wilfred L. Karsten officiating. Burial is in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Moline. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or to the Trinity Lutheran Church Mission Fund, Coal Valley.

The former Jean Martha Hubrig was born January 24, 1924, in Algonquin, Illinois, the daughter of Martin Henry and Ida (Karolus) Hubrig. She was raised by her father and step-mother, Mildred. She married Gilbert E. Leech on July 26, 1966, in Chicago. He died May 25, 1998. Previously, she had been married to Earl Reese, with whom she had three children, James, Patricia, and Thomas.

Jean worked as a secretary for Valparaiso University, Rock Island County Blood Bank, and with her husband at Gilbert. E. Leech Co. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and a former member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Milan, where she played piano for the choir and sang. She was a Valpo Guild member and a lifelong member of Oakwood Country Club.

She enjoyed reading, playing cards, and traveling. Above all else, she loved spending time with her family and friends.

Jean is survived by her children, James (Carolyn) Reese of East Moline, Patricia (Arthur) Frerichs of Lombard, Illinois, Sandra Burns of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, and Sally Freeman of St. Petersburg, Florida; grandchildren, Julie (Anthony) Strand, Michael Neujahr, Christopher Dilenbeck, Jennifer (Eric) Papenhagen, Lucinda Frerichs, Mark Frerichs, Charlene (Chris) Cakora, Gilbert (Heather Muir) Burns, Robert Burns, Heather Burns, Stephanie Peterson, Shane Rubin, Sheila (J.R.) McElroy, and Dana (Michael Snody) Hinkle Snody; many beloved great-grandchildren; a sister, Carolyn Hood of Wheaton, Illinois; many loving nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Lorraine, Marian, Dorothy, Anne, and Juanita. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gil; a son, Thomas Reese; a daughter, Suzanne Hinkle; a grandson, Andrew Demos; and sisters, Pearl DePaul and Norma Koehler.

The family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful staff at Hope Creek Care Center and Rev. Robert Hagen for his uplifting church services at the nursing home every week.

Condolences and memories may be shared at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.