Leona Reckers

GOLDEN, Ill. -- Leona R. Reckers, 88, of Golden, passed away at 2:46 a.m. Monday (July 28, 2014) in the Golden Good Shepherd Home in Golden.

Leona was born on Nov. 6, 1925, in Bismarck, N.D., to the late Paul and Lillian Hedges King. She was married to George William "Bill" Hammond. She later married Russell Reckers in May of 1947. Russell survives of Golden.

Leona was raised Catholic and later became a member of the Elm Grove United Methodist Church. She loved gardening, bird watching and doing crossword puzzles. She loved animals, especially cats.

Surviving are two children, Joe (Doris) Hammond of Kokomo, Ind., and Rose (Will) West of Kansas City, Kan.; eight grandchildren, Connie Wright, Teresa Hammond, Tina (George) Butler, and Joseph Hammond, all of Kokomo, Dan West of Kansas City, Kan., Debra Cooly of Missouri, Lisa (Dan) Castell of Shawnee, Kan., and Wendy Dunn of Texas; 16 great-grandchildren, Charisse Hammond, Carlena Hammond, Kristy Hammond, Austen Hammond, Alexis Butler and Geordan Butler, all of Kokomo, Stephanie Thatcher of Jacksonville, Fla., Amy (Jessie) Ethlen of Kansas, Steven of Virginia, Joey Castell of Shawnee, Rose Anna Castell of Shawnee, Daniel Castell of Shawnee, and Eric Dunn, Bobby Dunn, Lauren Dunn, and Sarah Dunn, all of Texas; four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Francis King of Bismarck; one sister, Rosemary; and a special brother and sister-in-law, Clayton and Grace Taber.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Bill Hammond; one daughter, Ruth Marie Hammond; one granddaughter, Tina Marie West; one brother, Leo King; and one sister, Elsie King.

SERVICES: 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, in the Hunter Funeral Home in Golden, with the Rev. Dixie Croxton conducting. Interment will be in Golden Memorial Gardens in Golden.

VISITATION: 1-3 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Elm Grove United Methodist Church.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.com.

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