Leona Jane Osbon, 83, Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at her residence. 

On Nov. 3, 1934, Leona Jane Durbin was born in Kokomo. She was a treasured daughter of Clifford and Mary Waneta Bates Durbin. As one of seven children growing up she shared her childhood with two sisters Erma and Lila and four brothers Lonnie, Larry, George and Ronnie. 

In 1952, Leona and Carl Mote Sr. were married. The shared many good years until Carl’s sudden passing at age 48. 

A few years later, Leona and Carl S. Osbon Jr. were married in Kokomo on May 11, 1974. They shared 26 years of life’s adventures. Sadly, he passed away on March 31, 2000.

With a strong work ethic, Leona was a machinist for Kokomo’s Kingston Hydraulics for more than two decades. On Rochester’s north side she later opened the Fun-N-Bun eatery and arcade. An amazing cook, Leona specialized in hand-breaded tenderloins, tenderized the old-fashioned way, by hand pounding the meat with a mallet.

Leona is lovingly remembered by three sons: Carl Mote Jr. of Rochester, Rick Mote and wife Kathy of Kokomo, Mike Mote and wife Bonnie of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Stacey Ropp and husband Brian, Christy Mundy, Dawn Howard and husband JD, Jay Mote all of Rochester, Amy Kramer and husband John of Winamac, Kelly Pasquale and husband Brad of Kokomo, Stephanie Tate   of MI, 24 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; sister; Erma Lemmons of Kokomo, three brothers: Lonnie Durbin, Larry Durbin both of Kokomo, George Durbin and wife Becky of Flora and several nieces and nephews. 

Preceding Leona in death are her parents Clifford and Mary Durbin, both husbands Carl Mote Sr. and Carl S. Osbon, a great-grandson Dakota Mote, sister Lila Bontrager, brother Ronald Eugene Durbin, sister-in-laws Vi Durbin, Sonie Durbin and brother-in-law Al Bontrager.

A celebration of the life of Leona J. Osbon will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the Good Family Funeral Home,1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Sister Rita Burleson will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery.