Leona Gertrude “Onie” Stanford, the daughter of John Albert and Gertrude Alice (Wallace) Stanford, was born on September 13, 1919 in Langdon, Missouri. She was reared north of Phelps City, where she attended Cooper Country School in Langdon and Phelps City School.

After school, Onie cared for her parents. In 1949 her mother passed away, and in 1950 her father passed away. In 1951, she moved in with Mable Young and began working at the Central Cafe, in Rock Port, where she was employed until it’s closing in 1974. Onie then worked eight years at the Snack and Rak, and in 1982 was employed by the Blue Jay Bowl, both in Rock Port. In 1989, Onie began in-home health care for the elderly.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, shopping and watching TV. Onie attended the United Methodist Church in Phelps City while it was an active church. Onie passed away September 17, 2008 at Northview Manor Nursing Home in Tarkio, Missouri at the age of 89 years.

Besides her parents, Onie is preceded in death by two brothers, Jasper Stanford and John Stanford; five sisters, Maude Davis, Bertha Stanford, Mary Ann Stanford and Nellie Tinscher; one infant sister; and one infant nephew, John Ernest Stanford. She is survived by nieces and nephews, Geri Duren and her husband Steve, Rock Port, Connie Stanford, St. Joseph, Missouri, David Stanford, Atlanta, Georgia, Betty Hoark, Kansas City, Missouri, Sharlyn Criswell, Pueblo, Colorado; several cousins; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Services: 11:00 am, Monday, September 22, 2008, Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Interment: Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port.
There is no scheduled visitation.
Memorials: Rock Port Volunteer Fire Department or Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49.
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.