Elizabeth Bickham

1944 - 2024

HUDSON - Elizabeth Ann Bickham, 79, of Hudson, Indiana, formerly of Payne, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Elizabeth was born in Paulding, Ohio, on October 23, 1944, a daughter of the late L. Evelyn (Enz) and C. Charles Bickham.

Elizabeth attended the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she graduated with her Masters's degree in education.

She was a dedicated special education teacher at Branch Intermediate in Coldwater, Michigan.

She enjoyed snow skiing and was a member of the Fort Wayne Ski Club in her youth. It was her involvement in the club that led her to meet the late William (Bill) Leider. Through this relationship, Elizabeth came to be a devoted Catholic and member of St. Anthony's church of Angola, Indiana.

She enjoyed cooking and baking and was known to follow recipes to a "T". She made an amazing German Chocolate Cake each year for her son's birthday, which will be dearly missed. Elizabeth was a creature of habit, very rooted in tradition, and very faithful to her community. She was known well to be kind-hearted and loyal to the people she did business with.

Elizabeth will always be remembered for her faith and love of her son and her community. In her most recent years, she was a loving grandmother to her four grandchildren. She moved from her family homestead in Payne to be with her son and his family. She was very proud of her family and routinely proclaimed how "blessed she was" to be with them on a daily basis.

Elizabeth will be sadly missed by her son, Matthew (Becca) Leider; and her grandchildren, Amaya and Xander Prater, Lincoln and Maxton Leider.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Jo Welch;, and lifelong companion, William (Bill) Leider.

Viewing is on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 5-7- p.m., at Dooley Funeral Home, 5761 S.R. 500, Payne, Ohio.

Viewing is also on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 10-10:30 a.m., at the funeral home.

Her Funeral Mass is Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 203 W. Townline St., Payne. There will also be a lunch following Mass.

Please join the family to celebrate the life of Elizabeth and share your fond memories.

She will be laid to rest at Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp, Ohio.

Memorials are to Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 417 N. Main St., Paulding, OH 45879.

Fond memories may be shared at dooleyfuneralhome.com.