Leona I. Townsend, 89, of Dowagiac, passed away at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at her home.

Leona’s life began on March 20, 1921, in Vandalia, the daughter of Elmer and Mildred (Burney) Hodges.

She was a 1939 graduate of Dowagiac Central High School and a graduate of South Bend Business College.

Leona was united in marriage to DeWain Townsend on June 14, 1941, in Three Rivers.

Leona was a homemaker, taking care of their six children and staying active in the school PTO, serving for a time as president.  She was a longtime Sunday school superintendent at First Christian Church.

She enjoyed her golf league at Dowagiac Elks Golf Course and bowling league at Silver Creek Lanes. Leona also enjoyed attending church at  Niles Missionary Church.

Her greatest joy was her family, which includes: her husband of 69 years, DeWain Townsend of Dowagiac; her children, LeWain (Donald) Crandall of Portland, Mich., Colleen (W. Richard) Thoreen of Lake Mary, Fla., Weldon (Kathy) Townsend of Brant, Larry (Diana) Townsend of Charlotte, Jesse (Margie) Townsend of Dowagiac and Jackie (Patrick) Leets of Niles; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn VanderVeen of Grand Rapids and Donna (Al) Patzer of Dowagiac; one brother, Weldon Hodges of Grand Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.

Private family memorial services will be held at a later date led by Pastor Jon Den Houter of First Christian Church.

She will be laid to rest in Dewey Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Hospice at Home or to First Christian Church.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Leona at www.yazel-clark.com.