Leslie Danielle Barger

Leslie Danielle Barger, 44, of Delhi, New York, passed away in Delhi, New York on Saturday August 9th, 2025.

Leslie was born on December 4th, 1980, in Harrisburg, Illinois, to Maurita and Gerald Barger. Leslie graduated from Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School and then pursued her bachelor’s degree by attending Murray State University, an accomplishment she was so incredibly proud of because of her family legacy of attendance. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she went on to receive her master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas. Her entire career revolved around her work at universities. She eventually found her home at the State University of New York where she became the Associate Director of Residence Life. She took great pride in building safe, welcoming, and supportive communities for students. She brought compassion, leadership, and humor to every role she held, leaving a lasting impact on colleagues and students alike.

Beyond her professional achievements, Leslie had a lifelong love of music and was a very skilled saxophone player. She was also a huge fan of Walt Disney World, and found joy in its stories and magic. She would visit the parks as regularly as her busy schedule would allow and looked forward to one day sharing their magic with her niece and nephew, whom she absolutely loved and adored. Her love was shown in many ways, but was most evident in her smile.

Leslie was a Christian by faith, and a member of Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church where she was baptized in her youth. She also held a special place in her heart for Owens Chapel Baptist Church in Kirksey, Kentucky.

Leslie is survived by her grandmother, Dene Pulliam of Carrier Mills; her brother Nathan (Tasha) Barger of Harrisburg; niece Natalia Barger and nephew Nolan Barger, both of Harrisburg; uncle Stanley Barger of Goreville; cousins Dana (Scott) Dooley, Noel (Katie) Clore, Laikyn Dooley, and Grant Dooley, all of Harrisburg; and her very special great-aunt Faye Willie of Kirksey, KY. She will be remembered fondly by extended family, friends, and the many students whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Maurita Barger; brother Marvin Barger; grandfather Mack Pulliam; grandparents Freeman and Verda Barger and Wayne and Eula Barger; aunts Debbie McDermott, Jean Jennings, Maxine Erb, Marie Carnes, and Sharon James; and uncle Freeman “Sonny” Barger.

Calling hours, funeral services and burial will be held in her hometown of Carrier Falls, Ill. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Absher Family and Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home, Kali Barnhart, Melissa Dacey, Alexis Rogers, Jason Fishner, Paul Decker from MacArthur Funeral Home, and Nurse Alma from Delhi Rehab and Nursing. Your love and support over the past several days have meant the world to us. There are not enough words to express our gratitude — thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Leslie will be remembered for her kindness, her dedication to others, her generosity of spirit, and the light she brought to every room she entered.