Leila Marie Ruess, 77, of Pevely died Oct. 20, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Ruess was a retired clerk for the Missouri State Court in Hillsboro. Earlier in her life, she worked at True Value Hardware, which her family owned, for the FBI in Washington, D.C., and for State Farm Insurance. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, where she once taught Sunday school and built many lasting friendships. She loved creating memories and going on adventures with her family, whether it was skiing, horseback riding, camping or relaxing on the beach. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren, on the sidelines of a game or in the audience of a recital, and she was known as their biggest cheerleader. She will be remembered for her smile, laugh and the warmth and generosity she shared with others. Born Aug. 26, 1948, in Bonne Terre, she was the daughter of the late Viola (Gilliam) Madison and Merlin Kearns.
She is survived by her husband: Ronald P. Ruess; two sons: Ron (Shelly) Ruess II of Festus and Doug (Nicki) Ruess of Festus; two daughters: Katie (Chris) Glaze of Festus and Kimberly (Greg) Coleman of Imperial; 11 grandchildren: Ronald P. (Cieara) Ruess III, Kayla (Andrew) Propst, Dr. Bailey (Dyllon) Parmley, CJ (Zoe) Glaze, Kelby Ruess, Cayden (Sierra) Glaze, Eric Ruess, Vivian Glaze, Lillie Coleman, Carlea Coleman and Sawyer Coleman; seven great-grandchildren: JD Propst, Brooks Propst, Gwendolyn Leila Propst, Dean Ruess, Marcy Ruess, Kolter Parmley and Noah Parmley; and two sisters: Becky (Dan) Ziegelmeyer of Festus and Joani (Jeff) Jones of Festus.
She was preceded in death by a stepmother: Blondell Kearns; a stepfather: Bob Madison; and a brother: Darrell Kearns.
Visitation is scheduled from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, 107 N. Truman Blvd., officiated by Pastor Carey Jones. Interment will follow in Sandy Baptist Church Cemetery in Hillsboro. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City Women of Joy Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.