Iris Janay Leiker  (Vanbibber)

Iris J. Leiker, 35, of Sugar Creek, MO passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 14th, at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16th at Sheldon Baptist Church in Sheldon, MO. Inurnment will follow at Sheldon Cemetery.
Iris was born April 25, 1980 in Independence, MO as one of two children to James and Orvella (Stinson) VanBibber. After her father’s early death, she was raised with the help of a stepfather, Mike. Iris played cello in orchestra, participated in debate and youth court and graduated with honors at the age of 17 from William Chrisman High School in 1997. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Anderson University in Indiana four short years later. She married her beloved Bret Leiker on June 16, 2007 and in 2009 they had their beautiful daughter, Ellie. She was a devoted wife and mother who put her heart and soul into everything she did for others. She ran her own Phoenix Recovery Program as a counselor since 2007. Her family remembers her as compassionate, strong willed, patient, and giving. Survivors include her husband, Bret; daughter, Ellie; stepchildren, Drake and Emma Leiker; mother and stepfather, Orvella and Michael Bauman of Sugar Creek, MO; brother, Kevin VanBibber and wife Sarah of Independence, MO; nephew, Carter VanBibber; father-in-law, Harold Leiker of Independence, MO; aunt, Valera Matthews (Roger) of Sheldon, MO; uncle, Lewis Albert Stinson (Cindy) of St. Louis, MO; aunt, Charlene Gran of Wright City, OK; and numerous cousins and friends who love and will miss her dearly. The family encourages contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital in her memory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)