Leona Irene Willits

Graveside services for Leona Willits, 96 of Aledo, formerly of New Boston, will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at the New Boston Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Leona Willits Memorial Fund. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo is assisting the family. Leona died on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Genesis Senior Living, Aledo. Leona Irene was born on February 7, 1921 in New Boston, Illinois to George Francis & Anna Mae (Inman) King. She married Lloyd L. Willits on August 11, 1937 in Muscatine, Iowa. He preceded her in death on September 8, 1983. Leona was a commercial fisherman with her husband on the Mississippi River near New Boston for many years. She was also a waitress in area restaurants, prior to retirement. Leona enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, bingo, and especially coon hunting with her husband. She was known for baking delicious pies. Leona is survived by her children and spouses: Janet Van Dam of East Moline, IL; Drusilla & Donald Miller of Joy, IL; Lloyd Willits of Flint, MI; Jerry L. (Jake) & Susie Willits of Viola, IL; Donald (Andy) Willits of Bloomington, IL; Many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren; Siblings: Anna Belle Talbott, Cheryl Lane and John King. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Marion “Digger” Willits; siblings, James, Harold “Bud”, Russell and George King and Katherine Briggs and Mabel Larson.