Leon E. Luber, age 93 of Highland, IL died at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Leon was born on July 9, 1930, at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland, IL. He is the son of the late Olivia (Weidner) and Louis S. Luber.
On September 30, 1954, he married the late Imogene (Imy) Buehne at St. Rose Church, St. Rose, IL.
Leon attended St. Paul Elementary School in Highland for seven years and finished the eighth grade at Hunter School located between St. Jacob and Marine. While attending St. Jacob High School, he lived and worked on Bob Voigt’s farm. After graduating from high school in 1948, he attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he completed his studies in the summer of 1951. Circumstances allowed him to teach that fall at Fairview School, east of Grantfork, the last year that this country school was open.
Leon served in the army for two years and was a veteran of the Korean War. After his discharge in 1954, he attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a master’s degree in Dairy Science. Again, circumstances dictated that he return to teaching and he subsequently taught vocational agriculture and drivers education for eighteen years at Aviston High School. While there, he earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. After resigning his position at the high school in 1974, he accepted the position of Superintendent-Principal of Aviston Elementary School, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. In his retirement, he sold real estate in Highland for several agencies then drove the shuttle van for Travel One for fifteen years.
Leon and Imy resided in Aviston, IL for many years where they raised their girls. In 1986, he and Imy moved to Highland. Leon believed in service to God, his family and his community. He was a member of the Aviston Legion Post #1239 where he served as Commander. He was also a member of the Breese Knights of Columbus. He also served as President of the Aviston Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Clinton County Red Cross and board member of the Kaskaskia Special Education District. He enjoyed helping with the Clinton County Fair by serving as agricultural products judge supervisor and assisting in organizing the fair parade. While living in Highland, he was a life member of Highland American Legion Post #439 and Highland V.F.W. Post #5694. He served on the Honor Guard for many years for military funerals. He was a member of the Highland Knights of Columbus where he was Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, Spelling Bee chairman, and worked wherever needed. He served as President of Clinton County Retired Teachers Association and became a life member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association where he served on the state legislative committee for over ten years. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland and served in several ministries, of which pro-life was his priority. He supported the missions in the states and overseas, particularly in Africa. He loved his family, and especially enjoyed family gatherings as his family showed their love for him and the other family members.
Leon loved to travel. In 1998, he and Imy took a tour of the western United States which included several national parks. Later they traveled to Europe numerous times and visited Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje. They also visited Mexico City and traveled to Hawaii several times. Leon also was honored to take the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2019.
He is survived by four daughters Jan (Eugene) Nothnagel of Riverside, California, Kathy (Rob) Stanfa of Puryear, Tennessee, Laurie (Clay) Wiedner, and Patti (Blake) Kohlbrecher of Highland; grandchildren Sarah Nothnagel, Alex Nothnagel, Lorne Stanfa, Michael (Claire) Wiedner, Chris Wiedner, Gunnar Kohlbrecher, Gavin Kohlbrecher, Galen Kohlbrecher; and great-granddaughter, Caroline Wiedner. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Lorene Rehkemper and Betty Buehne, brother-in-law Ron Moss, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his spouse Imogene, his parents, Louis S. and Olivia Luber, stepfather George S. Hoffmann, brothers Oliver, Howard and Ralph Luber, and sisters Catherine (John) Koelz and Gladys (Clarence) Windsor; and in-laws, Mary Luber, Bernice Luber, Gaye Luber, Alberta Luber, John Koelz, Clarence Windsor, Lucille and Louis Thole, Esther and Ed Thole, Norbert and Regina Buehne, Eugene and Geraldine Buehne, Eugene Rehkemper, and Carol Moss.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 13, 2023 and Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 8:00 to 9:30 am at Spengel Boulanger Funeral Home, Highland, IL. There will be a Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Chalice Ceremony at 6:00 pm on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home, Highland, IL.
Funeral mass will be held at 10 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL, with Rev. Pat G. Jakel, presiding.
Internment at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL, with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to the St. Paul School Educational Foundation or to Missionary Society of St. Theresa.
