Skip Leininger

A memorial service is to be conducted at 11 am, Friday June 7, 2024 at First Baptist Church O'Fallon, 1111 E Highway 50 O'Fallon, IL.
The family will lay Skip to rest in Concord Cemetery in Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday June 8, 2024 in a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, gifts for the family can be made to First Baptist Church O'Fallon with annotation to the Leininger Family and will be dispersed by Joni according to Skip's wishes.
Online giving option: https://fbcofallon.org/pastor-skip-memorial
Louis Lee Leininger III, affectionately known as 'Skip', entered into the presence of the Lord on June 1, 2024 at home with his loving wife Joni (nee Dempsay) by his side. Known for taking his time putting the final touches on a project, the family is saddened that Skip was running ahead of schedule with his final task.
In addition to his wife of 44 years, Skip is survived by a daughter Abigail Rose; a son Joshua Leininger and wife Melissa; a daughter Sarah Beth Smith and husband Alex; 9 adoring grandchildren, Eden and Amelia Rose, Zailey, Jase, and Ellis Leininger, AdaGrace, Rhett, Magnolia, and Ruston Smith. He is also survived by sister Kathy Volgraff and husband Douglas; brothers Chris and Tim Leininger. He was preceded in death by brother Scott Leininger.
Skip was born on March 29, 1956 in East St. Louis, Ill. to the late Lee and Maggie Leininger. His mother described him as a diligent and hardworking teenager, and they were proud of his accomplishments training groups of young men as an Eagle Scout. He was a 1974 graduate of O'Fallon Township High School and went on to complete an undergraduate Recreation degree at Southwestern Illinois College and Illinois State University followed by a Masters of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
His ministry career began in 1983 as the Minister of Youth and Recreation at First Baptist Church O'Fallon (FBCO). Skip was passionate about investing in the lives of students and led many mission trips around the United States serving others. In 1993, Skip accepted a position as a lead pastor at Mehlville Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo. He diligently led the small church through many transitions while maintaining a focus on discipleship and service to his church family. After 12 years, Skip returned back "home" to FBCO in the position of Associate Pastor. Over the next 2 decades his ministries grew to include Pastoral Care, Missions, Senior Adults, and Facilities. Because of his humility, dedication to ministry and admirable work ethic, Skip could be found in the church building at all hours of the day and night, meeting any need that surfaced. Middle of the night building checks, weekend construction glitches, hospital emergencies–Skip willingly handled them all with grace. He could be counted on to meet any need that arose. Skip's ecological mindset can still be enjoyed on the many trails he maintained on church property and in his efforts to include solar energy within church infrastructure. His ministry achievements have affected the lives of innumerable people over the years, but they pale in comparison to the way he was able to genuinely connect with people. Because while being a staff pastor was his vocation, loving people well was his life work. Skip was real.
Skip loved his family well. He and Joni made a great team in ministry and life - complementing each other while challenging one another. His love for her was never questioned by his children as he regularly felt the sting of a kitchen towel snap after flirty advances while she was doing dishes. He modeled a life of integrity and Godliness to his family while instilling the values of hard work and adventure into them as well. He taught all three children to snow ski at a young age but also how to change a tire on the side of the road. He loved being outside in God's creation; even when nearing the end, he took his last kayak ride a few weeks ago with his son, Josh. He fully embraced his role as a Papa. He was easily swayed into gator rides, pushing sleepy babies in the backyard tire swing, or sneaking in after-school snacks from Wood Bakery. His grandchildren adored Papa.
Skip loved his church family well. He has been referred to as FBCO's "servant shepherd leader", for the qualities of warmth, loyalty, and a quiet steady personality have endeared both a trust and love for him within the church. He shared in people's best days presiding over 360 weddings; encouraging, celebrating, and challenging young couples to "put in the work" for a Godly marriage. He was a comfort to grieving families while ministering in over 500 funerals. Skip's ability to support people in both their best and darkest days is what defined his ministry. He was a father to the fatherless, a friend to the misunderstood, a comfort for the broken-hearted, and encourager for all.
Skip just loved people well. It didn't matter their background or baggage they were still carrying, Skip accepted them. He was known to offer a safe place to stay for people passing through and would treat them like family. This open-door policy through the years meant you never knew who was new to join along with the Leininger family or how long they would be staying. His mission work with FBCO led him to a congregation of believers in Cuba; instead of allowing language barrier to hinder the relationship, he immersed himself in learning Spanish to build meaningful connection with his Cuban hermanos y hermanas.
In the midst of illness, Skip used his remaining strength during the final years to love well. He approached every disappointing complication with hope and a focus on blessing others through his trials. He sought ways to get to know his doctors and nurses. He asked them about their families and how they were doing - and really meant it. He was a beacon of light in a dark place.
While he will be missed dearly, a legacy of empathy and Godliness will continue to be built upon by all who knew him. Skip would want us all to love each other well.
A memorial service is to be conducted at 11 am, Friday June 7, 2024 at First Baptist Church O'Fallon, 1111 E Highway 50 O'Fallon, IL.
The family will lay Skip to rest in Concord Cemetery in Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday June 8, 2024 in a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, gifts for the family can be made to First Baptist Church O'Fallon with annotation to the Leininger Family and will be dispersed by Joni according to Skip's wishes. Online giving option: https://fbcofallon.org/pastor-skip-memorial