December 6, 1976 – July 22, 2023
Shawna Dee Leigeber, 46, of Greenville, Ohio, lost her battle with cancer on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
She was born on December 6, 1976, to Gary and Manina (Mitchell) Leigeber in New Castle, Indiana, but was raised in Darke County where she graduated from Greenville High School in 1995.
Shawna started her working career before she was 16 at Jims’s Drive-In and then at Traditions Restaurant in Greenville. Applebee’s, Smokey Bones, and Frickers were places where she worked both in service and management. Shawna was a flight attendant for U.S. Air for two years and was an Independent Sales Consultant for 31 Bags. She also owned her own business, Pink Icing Creations, selling baby and children’s clothing and accessories.
She started working in insurance for Jim Gable when his office was still on Sweitzer Street and continued in insurance for many years. Shawna obtained her Property, Casualty, and Life certification, and had just renewed them in early 2023.
Shawna received her Associate of Arts degree in December of 2022, and was working on her Paralegal certification. She had obtained a 4.0 GPA in those classes, which earned her a place on the President’s List at Edison State. She was also nominated to the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Shawna loved to dance and had a beautiful singing voice. She had the spirit of generosity beyond her means and frequently gifted others. Throughout her battle she was always worried about caring for, supporting, and inspiring others. She lived life to the fullest, which included skydiving, skiing, kayaking, roller skating, pickleball, axe-throwing, and party planning for family events.
Shawna was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Lowell and Helen Engle, Joseph and Irene Mitchell, and Ruth Ruse; her grandparents, Bill and Gayla Metzcar, Dale Mitchell, George and Barbara Dillon; and her great uncle and aunt, Robert and Virginia Engle.
In addition to her parents, Shawna is survived by her son, Branson Leigeber of Greenville. Branson was her motivation to fight so fiercely through the ups and downs of her cancer battle! She experienced her greatest joys in motherhood, diving full force into his every activity. Be it at school or sports, PTA, room mother, team mom, snack organizer, scoring and statistics, driver of the team bus. Branson was her greatest source of pride.
Shawna is also survived by Melba (John) Garner, Penny Shrock, Suzanne McNemar, Chris (Patty) Engle, Mark (Faith) Mitchell, Marsha (Gary) McCauley, Melinda (Don) Williams, Michaela (Steve Drumheller) Mitchell, Joel (Kris Prenat) Mitchell, Keith (Rhonda) Leigeber, Merrilee (Michael) Lohman, LaDeana (Frank) Diver, Stuart Mitchell, Breanna Spencer, as well as many very loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of those who have helped care for Shawna over the past five years. She received excellent care across the healthcare spectrum.
A heartfelt thank you to the family and many friends near and far who kept her in their thoughts and prayers and called, texted, visited, gifted, and or sent words of encouragement. They always came when she needed them the most (and some every day …Becky Moore)!
Shawna was an inspirational one-woman fighter and will always be a survivor in the hearts and souls of all she touched with her indominable spirit.
It was Shawna’s wish to see family and friends while she was alive and kicking. There will be no services.
Tribute Funeral Homes is serving Shawna’s family.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Breast Cancer Awareness of Darke County, 835 Sweitzer Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.