Leona Frances Schneider, 89, of Arkansas City, KS, passed away May 7, 2024, at Alderbrook Village surrounded by her family.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home in Arkansas City, visitation will be held prior from 1:00-2:00. Graveside services will be held at a later date. Memorials in her name may be made out to the Arkansas City Masonic Lodge 133 and left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home.

Leona was born on July 24, 1934 in Joplin, MO to parents Charles H. and Hazel (Downy) Abbott, she graduated from high school and later started working at Southwest Bell as a switchboard operator. She married Kenneth Brannam in 1953, they later divorced, then in 1978 she married Bill Blinzer, they later divorced, she married Fred Schneider in 1987, in Lake Tahoe, NV. Leona enjoyed square dancing, painting, flowers, and playing computer games, but most of all she loved being with her family. She was a kind soul that made everyone who met her feel special.

Leona is survived by her children; Mike Brannam (Anita), Lori Philo (Rod), and Cindy Brannam, numerous grandchildren great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son Mark Brannam and daughter Karen Block, and siblings Violet James, Kathryn Holt, Ernie Abbott, and William Abbott.