With the upsurge of COVID-19 we request all who attend the visitation and funeral for Leona wear a mask to the funeral home.  Please respect the social distancing rules and think of others' safety as well as your own.  Please sit with proper 6 foot spacing between pews.  We appreciate your cooperation and courtesy at this time.

There will be a GRAVESIDE SERVICE for Leona beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday September 11, 2020 at the Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton City, Missouri.

VISITATION will precede the graveside service from 9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. (Friday, September 11, 2020) at Hill and Son Funeral Home on Friday, September 11, 2020.

OFFICIATING at the service will be Pastor Marcus Cumpton.

The family suggests any MEMORIAL donations be given to Good Shepherd Hospice and may be left at the funeral home.

Leona M. (VanWinkle) Wiltz, age 95 passed away peacefully on September 9, 2020 at her son Gene's home in rural Bates County, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Oscar George and Hilda Mary Katherine (Rapp) Bracher, born on February 20, 1925.  Leona grew up in the Rockville, Missouri area, where she graduated from Rockville High School.  After completing her education, she met Wilbur VanWinkle and they were married in 1947, her husband of 33 years.  To this union three children were born: Eugene, Juanita, and Laberta "Bee."  Wilbur passed away in 1980 and Leona remarried, Donald Wiltz in 1990.

Leona's family was the most important thing to her, especially her children and grandchildren.  Her most cherished times were spent gardening, tending her flowers, and country-dancing.  Leona was a great cook, who was famous for her ham gravy and spaghetti, but her family testifies that "everything was really good." She remained a faithful Christian her entire life, devoted to living out the Gospel and prayer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar George and Hilda Mary Kathryn (Rapp) Bracher; her husband Wilbur VanWinkle and her second husband, Donald Wiltz; a brother, Bill Bracher.

Leona is survived by her three children: Eugene (Marcia Ford) VanWinkle, Juanita (Don) Huenefeldt, and Bee (Darrel) Culver; four grandchildren: Braun (Beth) Mitchel, Hannah (Chris) Short, Shawn (Melissa) Huenefeldt, Kevin (Kristin) Huenefeldt; and 6 great-grandchildren; along with many extended family members and great friends.  She will be deeply missed by her friends and family.