In Memory
Leona Fay Brunkhart
Mar. 28, 1931 - Dec. 28, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Leona Fay Brunkhart, 77, passed away Sunday morning in Regency Place of South Bend. She was born on March 28, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Elmer and Frances (Stewart) Pearson. On October 5, 1962,
Leona married Robert Don Brunkhart who passed away on June 24, 1990. Leona is survived by two sons, Timothy Brunkhart (Patricia) of Hebron, KY and Craig Brunkhart (Cheryl); a daughter, Lisa Elkins (Brunkhart) of Mishawaka, IN; nine grandchildren, Andrew, Casey (Mary), Melissa, Chantal, Tim, Corey, Darren, Stewart and Robin; two great-grandchildren, Payton and Austin; and three sisters, Ardis Jones of Niles, MI, Doris Weaver of Rockford, IL, and Shirley Russell of Niles, MI. Leona was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Pearson and Harold Pearson; and a sister, Helen Lace. Leona was a life-long South Bend resident.
She graduated from Washington-Clay High School in 1949 and remained close with many of her classmates. Leona worked as a young girl at The Granada Theatre in downtown South Bend. Working both the ticket window and the candy counter. She also worked for the Studebaker Company as a secretary for the manager of the New Products Division. She spent many of the following years raising her children.
Leona then was one of the first employees hired at University Park mall. She worked at the mall for many years at the supervisor of the hostess/information desk. Following her retirement, Leona spent time with her family and friends. She loved to travel, entertain and spend as much time with her grandchildren as possible. One of her favorite family gatherings was the annual Christmas Eve celebration with her reading "The Night Before Christmas" with all the grandchildren gathered around her.
She stayed young at heart by entertaining the grandchildren with her stories, jokes and antics. She has passed on her passions of creativity, life and the love of all people to everyone she came in contact with, especially all of her babies. Leona will be missed by all, but will remain loved in our hearts forever.
A memorial service in Leona's honor will be held at a later date. Please make memorial contributions to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.
Published by South Bend Tribune on Jan. 4, 2009.
09/05/2022 DEC
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