Leona Madge Sheldon, the daughter of Thomas Elmer and Trella Myrtle (Lane) Bryant, was born on November 1, 1925 in Madison County, Arkansas. She attended grade school in Watson, Missouri, and graduated from Rock Port, Missouri High School in 1943. After receiving her teaching certificate, Leona taught country school during the war at Highland Country School, north of Rock Port.

On May 12, 1946, Leona was united in marriage to Marvin Wilmot Sheldon. They farmed in the Atchison County, Missouri and Farragut and Hamburg, Iowa areas, while Leona raised their family. She was also employed at the Hamburg Post Office for 16 years. Leona was a member of the Hamburg Church of Christ and enjoyed her garden and quilting. Leona passed away Monday, March 1, 2010 at Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg at the age of 84 years.

Besides her parents, Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, who passed away in 1997, and one brother, Rex Bryant. She is survived by her children, Steven W. Sheldon and his wife, Cheryl, Hamburg, Philip L. Sheldon and his wife, Carol, Portland, Oregon, Mary Elaine Crist and her husband, John R., Winigan, Missouri, John W. Sheldon and his wife, Karen, Hamburg, James Patrick Sheldon and his wife, Beth, Cheyene, Wyoming; fourteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas Bryant and his wife, Margaret, Redding, California and Gary Bryant and his wife, Patricia, O’Fallon, Missouri; three sisters, Norma Smith and her husband, Jack, Fontana, California, Lois Deatz and her husband, Paul, Mound City, Missouri and Marcia Emberton, Hamburg; numerous nieces and nephews.

Services:
2:00 pm, Friday, March 5, 2010 at Linden Christian Church, Rock Port, Missouri.
Interment: Linden Cemetery, Rock Port.
The family will receive friends Friday, from 1:00 to 1:50 pm, at the Linden Christian Church, prior to the service.
Memorials: Sudan Mission.
Obituaries and online condolences: www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services are under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.