Leona I Retzer

Born on November 17, 1932 in St. Clairsville, Ohio, Leona was the daughter of Wilbur and Viola Singer. She worked for many years at Todd’s Mountain View, where she worked the morning shift with her great friends, Harry and Georgia Aggonis. As her age progressed, she continued to take care of her home and her family, making pies for special occasions and friends. Leona was known for being a great cook and pie baker.

Leona was a wonderful human being who radiated with joy, love and compassion to everyone she met. She enjoyed watching her family throughout various events in their lives, taking road trips with family whether it was somewhere local or to the mountains of Tennessee, listening to country music, including seeing one of her favorite singers, Neal McCoy, in concert twice (even kissing him on the cheek). Leona would always be in awe of anyone who sang to her or who sang on a stage (especially at Dollywood).

To know Leona, was to love her. Everyone who had the chance to meet her was touched by her sweet soul.

She is survived by her 6 children Candy Hughes, Sharon Retzer, Jimmy Retzer, Carla Retzer, Vickey Retzer, Mark (Matt) Retzer, sister Bea (Emerson) Rarick, adopted daughter Dottie Linehan, grandchildren, Kelly (Travis) Clark, Melissa (Brandon) Chuvalas, Will (Nikkie) Frank, Patrick (Sarah) Retzer, Chris Hughes, Jennifer (Ben) Ford, Barbara (Miranda) Retzer, Michael (Laura) Smith, Rosa (Steffan) Retzer, Matthew Roe, great grandchildren Nathan Frank, Maggie Retzer, Kaci Frank, Bentley Paul, Trevor Clark, Parker Clark, Alice Retzer, Keegan Chuvalas, Elanor Smith, AJ Ford, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by parents Viola & Wilbur Singer, husband James Retzer, sisters Shirley Fisher, Dorothy (Carl) Bethel, Betty (Paul) Vale, Son in law Jim Smith and George Hughes, and grandson Milton Roe.

Visitation will be held on November 3, 2025 from 6-8 pm and Funeral Service at Halteman-Fett & Dyer Funeral Home on November 4, 2025 at 1pm Graveside service will be held at Floral Hills Memory Gardens following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Echo Hospice.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Echo Hospice.