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Merchant, Leone Moody
Leone Moody Merchant, 92, of Vinton, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at the Vinton Lutheran Home from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with the Rev. Karen Larson officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Phillips Family Center, 605 Second Ave., Vinton. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established.
Leone was born June 4, 1917, near McIntire, Iowa, the daughter of Roy and Ellen (Peterson) Chittick. She graduated from Shellsburg High School. On March 19, 1935, Leone was united in marriage to Alfred Claire Moody. Claire preceded her in death on April 18, 1945, while serving his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Leone later married Carl Merchant on Dec. 7, 1957. He preceded her in death on Dec. 20, 1990.
Leone took pride in raising her four children and enjoyed office duties over the years at Virginia Gay Hospital, Armstrong's Department Store, Rector Insurance Agency and later Wilson-Hite Insurance Agency, retiring from there in 1979.
Leone was a 64-year member of Wesley United Methodist Church, serving on various circle committees, and was especially proud of being a past president and 64-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Leone is survived by two sons, Don (Shirley) Moody of Dubuque and Larry (Karen) Moody of Mount Auburn; one daughter, Marcia (Dave) Hite of Vinton; one daughter-in-law, Judy Moody of Cedar Falls; three stepsons, Donavon (Vi) Merchant, Dale (Sylvia) Merchant and Derald (Karen) Merchant, all of Vinton; one sister, Laurel (Dale) Sills of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Lyle (Pat) Chittick of Anthem, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren and several stepgreat-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Leone was preceded in death by one son, Keith Moody; one grandson, Kurt Moody; one stepgranddaughter, Cindy Merchant; one sister, Lucille Stieger; and one brother, Lester Chittick.
Condolences may be left for the family at
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