Leona E. Williams

Leona E. Williams, age 95 of Batesville, Indiana, died Thursday, January 15, 2009 at The Waters of Batesville. Born May 22, 1913 in Batesville, she is the daughter of Bertha (Nee: Holtel) and John Ollier. She married Ralph Williams on June 5, 1934 at St. Louis Church in Batesville and he preceded her in death on November 29, 1973.She was a homemaker and a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Phi Beta Psi Sorority and Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 Ladies Auxiliary.Leona had a long and interesting life. Her father owned a barber shop in Batesville and when electricity became available, her father's shop was the first in town to be connected. In 1932, she was honored at the Batesville Pageant, being crowned "Miss Batesville". Before "talkies" were introduced, she played the organ at the Gibson Theater during the silent movie era and wrote articles for the Batesville Herald Tribune for many years. Leona never went out in public without being properly dressed and wearing her trademark high heels. She was an excellent cook and among her families most requested meals were sour roast or sauerbraten as well as spicy roast beef. She loved to work in her flower gardens until her health in recent years prevented her from being able to keep up with them. She loved bird watching, with hummingbirds and cardinals among her favorites and during quiet times, she found great pleasure sitting in her rocking chair and rocking.She is survived by daughters Joan Weisenbach, Connie Deal, Barbara Whalbring and Diane Harpring, all of Batesville, Ramona Stille of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bertha Miller of Indianapolis, Jennifer Eisert of Morris; 37 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by sons Jerome, Robert, Thomas, Richard and John Williams; sisters Marie Kerker, Eleanora Kreuzman, Genarose Ollier, Elizabeth Ollier, Rosalie Ollier and brother George Ollier.Visitation is Sunday, January 18th, from 1-5 p.m., at the funeral home, with a rosary service at 1 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, January 19th, at St. Louis Church, with Rev. Stephen Akange officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Batesville EMS-10 or to Phi Beta Psi Sorority Cancer Research.

Leona E. Williams

January 15, 1914 - January 15, 2009