Leona Maurine "Onie" Crouch

WARSAW, Ill. -- Leona was known to people by many different names, such as Mom, Nana, Onie, Aunt Moonie, The Sewing Lady, and the Wonderful Woman of Warsaw, but on the morning of Dec. 14, 2012, at 8:25 a.m., she was called home by her new name of "Good and Faithful Servant."

Leona "Onie" Maurine Crouch was born on Aug. 17, 1935, in the Sutter home of her loving parents, Marvin and Louise Beeler Wollbrink.

Leona was a Warsaw High School graduate with the class of 1953, and later attended Gem City Business College in Quincy. She worked at Moorman's in Quincy for many years. She later became a renowned local seamstress and maintained her own sewing shop in Warsaw while lovingly raising her daughters. In 1983, Leona found her true calling as a secretary for the Warsaw Community School District. She retired 16 years later after impacting the lives of hundreds of students and staff throughout the district.

Many severe health issues hindered Leona's plans after retirement; however, her incredible and pervasive optimism and deep faith in God led her on a different journey than she could have initially imagined. Nearly every morning found her beginning her day with coffee and fellowship with friends, both old and new. She endured the ravages of cancer with grace, dignity, and her unwavering belief in God's goodness, making the day of everyone she encountered each day better as a result.

She is survived by two brothers, Melbert (Judith) Wollbrink of Quincy and Elvin (Sue) Wollbrink of Tioga; as well as a sister-in-law, Betty (Leland) Wollbrink of Hancock County. She is survived by two daughters of Warsaw, Krista Brownlee and Jill VerDught (and fiancé Tim Carter); three grandsons, Brad (Betsy) Brown of Franklin, Josh (Jenna) VerDught of Glen Carbon and Ethan VerDught of Warsaw; and also two great-grandsons, Brayden and Bryce Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as three brothers, Ronnie Dale, and Leland Wollbrink; and her ex-husband, Gilbert Crouch.

SERVICES: A private family graveside service will be held at Bethany Cemetery, Tioga, at a future date. A celebration of life gathering will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, in the Bott Community Center, Warsaw. A special video presentation and a time of sharing with family and friends will begin at 2 p.m.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Warsaw Township Food Pantry or the Warsaw Elementary School Playground Equipment Fund in Leona's memory. Donations to either of these causes would honor her love of community and children. As an ongoing tribute to Leona, her family would ask that all who had the privilege of knowing her lead their lives in such a way that they too will hear "Well done, good and faithful servant."

ARRANGEMENTS: Printy Funeral Home, Carthage.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.