Leona Monnin

VERSAILLES -- Leona Mary Eleanora Monnin age 89, of Versailles passed away at 9:13 am Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at her residence.

Leona was born on May 16, 1936, in Darke County to the late Chelcie & Cecilia (Barga) Gasson. Leona was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald N. Monnin on April 16, 2002, whom she married April 23, 1960; son-in-law, Ed Whittaker; daughter-in-law, Barb Monnin; step grandson, Billy Nash; sisters, Luella Huber and Roberta Schlater; brothers, Carl and Chalmer Gasson; and brothers-in-law, Lewis Didier, Jim Bornhorst, Leroy Bruns, and Lavern Schlater.

Leona is survived by her children, Brenda Whittaker of Versailles, Rhonda Dross of Versailles, Duane (Roberta Grisez) Monnin of Houston, Alan (Ray Rayburg) Monnin of Versailles, Darryl & Julie Monnin of Greenville, and Arnold & Jeanna Monnin of Greenville; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; siblings, Alma Bruns of Versailles, Wilma Didier of Frenchtown, Marylou Bornhorst of Frenchtown, Madonna (Fred) McEldowney of Versailles, and Curtis Gasson of Frenchtown; sisters-in-law, Kathy Gasson of Versailles and Linda Gasson of Fort Loramie; brother-in-law, Ronald Huber of Covington; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leona graduated from Versailles in 1954. After graduation she worked at Poultry Producers and Copelands before her and Don started their own business, Don's Custom Slaughter, for 31 years in Versailles until retirement. Leona had a love for flowers, gardening, canning, baking, genealogy, and crocheting. She received many ribbons over the years for her flowers and angel food cakes that she entered at Versailles Poultry Days. She also received Garden of the Month one year from the Garden Club. Leona was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church and a member of St. Anne Sodality.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, October 13, 2025, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with Rev. Fr. Ned Brown celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Valbert Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm and Monday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 am at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Monnin family.