M. Jean Leakey, 94, of Wabash, Indiana,went to be with the Lord, at 1:30 pm, Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at her home. She was born September 15, 1926 in Huntington County, Indiana, to Farel and Erma (Tribolet) Flora.
Jean was a 1944 graduate of Andrews High School, and received her degree in Nursing Home Administration from Indiana University. She married Dale Edwin Leakey in Huntington, Indiana on July 21, 1946; he died October 27, 1991. Jean and her husband Dale, along with another couple built the Friendly Nursing Home on Quaker Avenue in Wabash in the early 60s. She was the medical assistant with Dr Robert Rauh and Dr. Robert Fassino, retiring after 24 years. Jean also gave tours with J.J. Tours for many years. She was a member of the Wabash Alliance Church, Wabash American Legion Auxiliary, and was the chairperson of Girls State and the Poppy Sales. She received the 2017 Health Care Hero Award from Wabash Parkview Hospital. Jean was known as the “Hat Lady” and had a collection of over 600 Vintage hats. She enjoyed playing cards, was an avid Chicago Cubs and Indiana Pacers fan, loved being involved in her community, and especially loved her family, and was involved in all of their lives.
She is survived by three children, Mark (Carol) Leakey of Seymour, Indiana, Mona (Doug) Friedersdorf of Wabash, and Marty (Robert) Casto of Onalaska, Texas, 12 grandchildren, Troy (Jeni) Friedersdorf of Fairmount, Indiana, Jeff (Samantha) Friedersdorf of Wabash, Dawn (Raymond) Nelson of Marion, Indiana, Valerie (Mike) Sullivan of Westfield, Indiana, Natalie (Brandon) Harpe of Seymour, Ashley (Robert) Ingles of Chicago, Illinois, Greg (Kelley) Garlett of Keller, Texas, Stephanie (Shawn) Beaulieu and Christopher (Carrie) Gebhart, both of Argyle, Texas, Bob (Kelly) Casto of Humble, Texas, Mike (Kelly) Casto and Tammie Casto, both of Vancouver, Washington; 16 great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, and her sister, Jane (Robert) Collins of Huntington, Indiana. She was also preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Marsha Sue Leakey, two sisters, June Maurer and Gwen Dixon, and three brothers, Kenny, Robert, and Bill Flora.
The family will gather for a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
Preferred memorial is Life Center, 489 Bond Street, Wabash or Downs Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee, attn: Janalynn Burns, 1310 Central Court, Hermitage, Tennessee 37076.
The memorial guest book for Jean may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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