Obituary of Brian Leigh

Brian T. “Spido” Leigh, age 63, of Maple Park, formerly of Dyersville, IA, passed away and claimed the promise of his savior, Friday, January 19, 2024.

He was born in Dubuque, IA, on August 28, 1960, to proud and loving parents, Merle and Janet Leigh.

Brian grew up in Dyersville, IA, and attended local schools. It just so happened that his future wife lived on a farm just over the hill. They met at a wedding in December of 1981 and four years later, two hearts became one in 1985 in Houston, TX.

Brian worked for his dad installing underground gas lines for several years in various states. After his last stop, which was in Texas, Brian began a new business with Bob Burkle in Illinois, Down Under Construction in 1987. After Bob passed away in 1995, Brian continued the high standards and impeccable legacy until declining health sadly closed the doors.

Brian was a faithful member of the S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil, IL. Brian was known for always taking on a job that no one else wanted. If they said it couldn’t be done, Brian was first in line to prove them wrong. He was a “Ford Guy” through and through and loved getting into the wind on his motorcycles, a Big Dog chopper and his Indian, but also liked the peace and quiet of 18 holes of golf. Fishing also was near and dear to his heart, especially when he could cast his line in the Mississippi River. Brian enjoyed settling into the quiet church-like stillness of a field in anticipation of the rush of pheasants bursting into the sky. No one cheered louder when his beloved Dallas Cowboys took the field, but even getting a “W” paled in comparison to the happiness he felt when surrounded by the love of his family and friends. His loss leaves a mark on the hearts of all who knew him. Though grief may be dark and overwhelming, the sunshine of his memory will live on forever.

He now leaves his loving wife of 38 years, Amy Leigh; his father, Merle (Denise) Leigh; his mother, Janet Leigh; three siblings: Tom Leigh, Randy (Jeanie) Leigh, and Traci Leigh, one stepsister, Katie Leigh; his mother-in-law, Velma Frericks; a brother-in-law, Kevin (Patty) Frericks; sister-in-law, Patty (Mark) Leuchs; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends.

He is reunited with his sister, Suzan Leigh, his father-in-law, Elmer Frericks; brothers-in-law: Steve Frericks, Jim Frericks and Tommy Frericks, who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the S.S. Peter & Paul Parish Center, Virgil, IL, Saturday, January 27, 2024. A Mass to celebrate his faith will begin at 11:00 a.m. at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

Kramer Funeral Home, Dyersville, IA will care for the family during the interment, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Dyersville, IA. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to FTD, Frontotemporal Degeneration, at www.THEAFTD.org. Memories tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find Brian’s full life story.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.