Leona Pauline (Deuel) Gilson

Leona Pauline (Deuel) Gilson of the The Villages, FL and formerly of Battle Creek, MI

Leona, age 91, died Friday morning, March 30, 2018 at Atria of Lady Lake Assisted Living Facility, Lady Lake, FL with her two loving daughters at her side and following a brief illness.

Leona, the daughter of Victor and Irene (Brooks) Deuel, was born in Grand Ledge, MI on February 3, 1927 and was a 1945 graduate of Grand Ledge High School. She retired in 1989 after 35 years of faithful service as the Assistant to the President/Chairman of the Board, Dr. Russell G. Mawby, of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. She loved her job! Leona and her husband, Jeane, enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cabin at Higgins Lake, MI. She was an avid knitter and quilter and her family treasures several of her handmade items.

Leona was united in marriage to the "Love of her Life," Jeane A. Gilson on September 4, 1949 in Battle Creek and he sadly preceded her in death on February 14, 2015 after 65+ years of wedded bliss. Surviving are two daughters, Judy L. Johns and Kathryn A. (David) DeVault, both of The Villages, FL; daughter-in-law, Wanita "Skeeter" Gilson of Gilmer, TX; six grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Leona was also preceded in death by her parents; her son, Wayne Gilson and three brothers.

Leona's family will greet friends on Friday, April 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. The funeral service to celebrate Leona's life will be held on Saturday, April 7th at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Debra Jenkins, her niece and of Battle Creek, officiating. Entombment will be in Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Leona's honor may be directed to the Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.