Leona Gertrude Halleran

LEONA G ERTRUDE HALLERAN , 92 , of Waterloo , Illinois, at 11:11 am, Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Oak Hill, Waterloo, Illinois.

She was born to the late William Arthur and Ollie (nee Doren) Hicks on June 6, 1928 in DeSoto, Illinois. As a young girl, she enjoyed playing softball and working on her family’s farm. Leona was given the nickname “Doodle Bug” by her grandfather, which was later shortened to “Doodle”. ‘Doodle” is how she was referred to by family and friends throughout her life.

As a young woman, Leona was baptized and developed a relationship with the Lord that would continue throughout her life. When she moved to Columbia, Illinois, with her husband and found that there was no Baptist Church there, she was part of a small group mission for a new church. Leona became one of the founding members of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, Illinois and was chartered in February 1957. Leona spent her life serving the Lord and showing others God’s love through teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, singing in the church choir and being active in the church.

Leona married Vernie Halleran on October 7, 1950 in Piggott, Arkansas; he preceded her in death on April 17, 2009.

Leona was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed tending to her farm and traveling with her husband. She was well known for her homemade pies.

Survivors:

2 Sons:

Rand y (Kandie) Halleran Waterloo, IL

Terry (Rhonda) Halleran Strafford, MO

1 Brother:

Issac "Ike" (Ruth) Hicks DeSoto, IL

4 Grandchildren:

Julie (Roger) Felix, James (Amy) Halleran, Jenny (Mike) Wittenauer and Le’ D otta Pind

2 Step Grandchildren:

Amanda (Jackson) Foster and Sean (Lindsey) Jackson

9 Great Grandchildren:

Jordan (Kelsie) Felix, Abbey Felix (Dakota Holcomb) , Erin & Kaleigh Halleran, G avin, Emma & Allison Wittenauer and Olivia & Isabella Pind

5 Step Great Grandchildren:

Rose, Claire & Jack Foster and Elise & Erin Jackson

Preceded in death by: Parents, Husband and 4 Siblings – Laverne Hicks, Authenile (Bud) Hicks, Curtis Hicks and Joseph Hicks

Funeral Service:

2:00 pm, Sunday, April 25, 2021

First Baptist Church of Ellis Grove

Officiating:

Rev. Paul Hicks

Rev. Roger Reid

Interment :

Ellis Grove City Cemetery

Ellis Grove, Illinois

Visitation:

Saturday – 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Red Bud, Illinois

We are limited to 50 people in our Funeral Home at a time. We ask that everyone wears a mask and please use social distancing guidelines.

Sunday- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

First Baptist Church of Ellis Grove

M emorials :

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital