ShaeLeigh McKenzie-May Zeiger

Work Hard, Play Hard, Live Hard…That was ShaeLeigh Zeiger, whom at the age of 22 was murdered and had to leave this world well before her time, on Sunday December 19, 2021.

ShaeLeigh had a natural and pure beauty, heart, and soul unlike any other. Her smile and contagious laughter instantly transformed any stranger into a friend.  ShaeLeigh’s heart and soul was filled with so much generosity to those she felt in need. From birth, ShaeLeigh was filled with booming energy, upbeat personality, passion, and drive to live life to the fullest.  From the age of five, ShaeLeigh was involved in ballroom dancing which lead to many state ballroom competitions and many years performing at the Elkhart Jazz Festival into her teenage years.  Her constant yearn for life lead ShaeLeigh into a wide variety of extreme sports, such as target shooting, bow hunting, stunt riding, and snowboarding. ShaeLeigh loved anything on or around water from boating and kayaking to laying out on the beach while listening to music.  Along with dancing, ShaeLeigh also enjoyed clubbing and enjoying time with her friends any chance she could. Lastly, ShaeLeigh especially loved traveling across the U.S. with the ones she loved while also paying tribute and spreading her daughters ashes along the way.

Like her beauty, ShaeLeigh had a personality unlike no other. Funny, sassy, very strong willed, independent, quick witted, and no filter best describes whom ShaeLeigh was.

ShaeLeigh attended Elkhart Christian Academy and graduated from Concord High School, in Elkhart, IN. ShaeLeigh’s multitude of talents reflected in her various occupations from a make up artist at Camilia Cosmetics to her last job as a production line worker at Thor Industries.

ShaeLeigh survived by her loving biological mother who poured her heart and soul into raising ShaeLeigh, Toni Simmons of Elkhart, along with her sister Rachel. ShaeLeigh was also supported by many other people throughout her life, including her Godparents Werner and Melody Wegner, Grandma Cona, half brother Blake Zeiger, several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, Anthony Zeiger her biological father whom lives in Florida, and Toni Simmons boyfriend Darren Karenke of Elkhart.

ShaeLeigh proceeded in death by her great grandparents, Bob and Helen Routson, great grandma Marie, grandpa William Rouston, grandparents Nancy and Nick Zeiger, and most cherished Remmington Amalia Rubio; ShaeLeighs’ daughter, heart, and soul.

Our lives will never be the same without seeing ShaeLeigh’s beautiful smile or hearing that contagious laugh. Each day will be dark without the light that she exuded. ShaeLeigh McKenzie May Zeiger will be forever missed but never forgotten.  It is not goodbye, but see ya later as you are now dancing in the sky.

Please join us in remembrance of ShaeLeigh at a public memorial service being held Friday, January 7th, 2022 from 1-5 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.