Leona Mae Hayden

Leona Mae Hayden, 79, of Punxsutawney, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on May 17, 1939 in Huntingdon, a daughter of the late Luther Elliott and Iva Mae (O’Donnell) Merritts.

Leona always had a smile and she was energetic and bubbly.  She was gentle natured and loved to be around her family, extended family, friends, and neighbors.  Leona was independent to a fault, strong and never complaining, and always putting others before herself.

She loved her home at Grace Place, she was very active in planning social events, decorating for the different seasons, and planning monthly dinners for all the residents to enjoy.

Leona is survived by three daughters, Tonya Mills and husband Dave of Somerset, Tammy Kerr and husband Don Amissville, VA, and Tia Filiault of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Nicole Shaulis, Karrisa Filiault, Carson Filiault, Davey Henderson, Colton Mills, Tori Kerr and Tara Kerr; two great grandchildren, Tyler Henderson and Garrett Shaulis; son in law, Michael Filiault; brother in law, Tom Geiger of Towanda; sister in law, Darlene Merritts of Altoona.

Preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Hunter Mills; brother, John Merritts, sisters, Pauline Geiger and Jean Miller; brother in law Denny Miller.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, August 24,2018 at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home officiated by her nephew, Tim Geiger.

Interment will follow at Mount Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to the family.  Donations will be put toward purchase of Leona’s headstone.

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