John Joseph Leibrecht, 81, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully Friday,
July 24, 2026. Services will be held at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and funeral at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial in Oak Ridge Memory Garden, Independence, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37839. Boone, IA 50037-0839.
John was born on May 4, 1945, in Pueblo, Colorado, to John Jr. and Opal (West)
Leibrecht. He married Carolyn Sue Westwood in 1963. They were married 49 years before her death in 2012. They loved going to the lake, fishing, their dogs, and one another’s company. He loved the Royals and the Chiefs. He worked as a machine mechanic throughout his career, taking great pride in his trade. In his free time, he enjoyed trying his luck with lottery tickets and gambling and was especially known for making outstanding barbecued hamburgers for family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn “Susie”; son, Jerry D.
Gross; sister, Marcia Burks; brother, James Leibrecht; and many other family members.
John is survived by 2 children: Kimberly Harden (Joe) of Sibley, MO and John G.
Leibrecht III (Christina) of Independence, MO; 11 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri