Leona Diane Hoard, the first living child of Sidney Charles and Mabel Blanche (Wilson) Rupert, was born September 10, 1932 at the family farm in Ellsworth County near Langley, Kansas. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the age of 86 years, eight months, and two days.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 48 years, Charles F. Hoard; her daughter, Shirley, who died of cancer in July 2003; her parents, Sidney and Mabel Rupert; grandchildren, Rachel Calvert and Steve Hoard; and a sister, Ruby.

They lived on the farm where she was born for the first year and a half of her life. Then, the family moved to the town of Langley, just across the road from the two-room schoolhouse where she would attend her first two years of grade school. In the summer of 1940, the family moved to the town of Crawford, Kansas, where they lived for several years. There, she attended a one-room schoolhouse where one teacher taught all eight grades. The family later moved to a farm near Geneseo, Kansas, where they lived until she graduated from the eighth grade.

That fall, the family moved to Miltonvale, Kansas, where she attended M.R.H.S., Miltonvale Wesleyan Academy, and one year of college. When Leona was 16, she became a member of the Miltonvale Wesleyan Church, where she remained an active member and served in the Sunday school ministry, Kid's Club, and church nursery. Additionally, she volunteered as Wesleyan women director for a number of years, served on the church board several times, and was co-leader of a ladies Bible study.

Her greatest desire was to serve her Lord and Savior in any way she could. Leona had given her heart to the Lord when she was a very young child. She deeply regretted the fact that she was not always true to her Lord during her late teens and early twenties, but God was merciful and brought her back to Him. God is so faithful to never give up on us. He is so good.

Leona was so grateful that she could be a stay-at-home mom so she could be there anytime her children might need her.

Left to mourn her loss are her children, Calvin (Lena) Burke, Sharon (Wilbur) Noon, Andy Hoard, Sharlene (Rick) Calvert, and Timothy (Diane) Hoard; step-children, Dennis (Carolyn) Hoard, Judy (Tom) Scanlon, Janet May, and Joanne (Mike) Piatz; siblings, Floyd Rupert and Veda Beaver; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandbabies.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 18 at the Miltonvale Wesleyan Church. The family will receive friends one hour before the services. Burial will be in the Miltonvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Homestead House and may be mailed to Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.