Leona Hardesty

Leona Elizabeth Dufour Hardesty, 76, of Danville, died on Friday, April 12, at Carle Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Leona was born on February 6, 1948 in Danville, IL the daughter of Louis Emile Dufour and Helen Leona Orr Dufour. She married David Wesley Hardesty Jr. on January 10, 1967 and he survives. Leona and David recently celebrated 57 years of marriage.

Leona is also survived by two children, Melanie Ann (Jeff) Sweet of Savoy, IL and David Wesley (Emilee) Hardesty III of Danville, IL. four granddaughters, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Ellen (Dylan) McConkey of Georgetown, IL, Jaidyn Leeann Hardesty, Rylee Brooke Hardesty and Demi Jane Hardesty all of Danville, IL. Leona is also survived by her sister, Lucy Emily Rutan of Danville, IL and leaves behind friends in several parts of the country including a special friend, Sherril Buckmaster of McAlester, OK.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, an older brother, Louis Emile Dufour Jr and a younger brother, Lenard Edward Dufour.

Leona spent most of her life as a mother and grandmother but did work outside the home at Woolenwear and the Commercial-News where she was a district manager overseeing some 90 young people with paper routes. She had a strong love for her family, especially her husband who she stood by through good and bad times.

After the company her husband worked for sold the plastics business, David and Leona spent a short time in Gilbertsville, IA, five years in Puyallup, WA. two years in Kansas City, MO, and five years in McAlester, OK before retiring back to Danville in 2012.

Leona made friends in all these locations as she had a sweet personality and made friends wherever they moved, but always considered Danville her home.

When her granddaughters were born, she always managed to be there or come shortly thereafter. After retirement she would take the youngest granddaughters to pre-school and would always play games waiting in the car. During the summer she liked to swing on the front porch and many times the granddaughters, who lived across the driveway, could be found swinging with her.

Leona loved butterflies and anything depicting them and her favorite color was purple. Leona liked to eat raw lemons and took pleasure watching those around her squirm as she bit into the lemon.

Around the holidays someone would always buy her chocolate covered cherries and she also enjoyed eating black licorice.

Leona enjoyed crafting with her daughter Melanie. She was proud of the finished work and liked to show them to everyone. They had many big projects going on at the same time.

While in Oklahoma Leona became an Election Judge and upon returning to Danville, continued that role for 11 years serving as a Tech Judge for Danville Precinct 5 in Tilton and Precinct 1 at The Second Church of Christ on Lynch Spur.

Leona was a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was baptized in 1974 and over the years served in many callings including Primary President which had classes for children from 3-11 years of age. Leona had a strong testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ and a belief that families are forever. 

In 1975 Leona and David traveled to the Washington, DC temple where they exchanged eternal vows. Leona and her husband read the scriptures each night and Leona kept a record of scriptures read on a calendar.

Leona did not want a funeral but will have a Memorial Service at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1949 North Bowman Avenue, Danville, Illinois 61832.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in Leona’s memory.

Please join Leona’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.