Leona L. Silvester

Leona Silvester, 89, of Fairbury, NE passed away May 4, 2019 at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury.  She was born October 5, 1929 to Leopold & Nellie (McKay) Richter of Fairbury.  Leona attended West Ward Elementary and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1948.  While in school, Leona worked at the Bonham Theater and played clarinet in the band.

Leona and Jim were married on December 22, 1950 and were married for 53 years before Jim passed away in 2003.  They had 7 children, Dan, Vicky, Randy, Debra, Marsheila, Theo & Chris.

Leona worked at Kellwood’s Swingsters, the Heritage, the Country Club, Boogaarts and Rays.  She also remembers when her dad was a maintenance man for Fairbury High and she would go to the school with him and clean desks.

Leona enjoyed doing puzzles, watching mystery shows, seeing her family and playing Bingo.

Preceding her in death were husband Jim, sisters Donna McLaughlin and Lovetta Carmichael, and grandson Jeremy Thompson.

She is survived by sister Leslie Immel of Exira, IA, sons Dan (Kathy) Silvester of Crete, NE, Randy (Sheila) Silvester of Indianapolis, IN, Chris Silvester of Beatrice, daughters Vicky Davis, Debra (Jeff) Asch of Hastings, NE, Marsheila (Greg) Kerner, Theo (Larry) Joe of Fairbury, 15 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren & 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Chapel.  Memorials will go to the Diabetes Foundation. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com