Leona E. Hacker Obituary (1920

Leona Elizabeth Hacker, 104 of Girard passed away April 8, 2025 at Memorial Hospital in Springfield. Leona was born on the family farm, 2 miles East of Harvel to John S. and Floy Minnis Bergschneider. The youngest of six children, four brothers, Elmer, Leo, John and Edward Bergschneider and sister, Helen Painter-Boehler. She was married to Morris Hacker and he preceded her in death, along with her parents and brothers and sisters. Leona was a 1937 graduate of Harvel High School. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She received a Master’s Degree in Education from SIUE and a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Sangamon State University. A teacher for almost 50 years, two years in the Morrisonville School District and thirty-two years in the Girard Unit School District. In addition to the classroom assignment, she directed the gifted program for three years. After retirement, Leona was a substitute teacher for fifteen years in the Auburn, Girard and Virden Districts. She volunteered as an usher at Sangamon Auditorium, took modeling assignments for Shawnee Studios in Mt. Olive, IL, taught Lincoln Land Community College Workshops for adults and LLCC Summer College for Kids for six years. She was a sales consultant for World Book Encyclopedia and worked for Calvert & Ferry Funeral Home. She was named 2024 Best Female Girard Resident. Most of all, Leona enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, traveling, dancing and praying. Leona is survived by her children and their spouses: Judy and Bob Pickerill of Springfield, Dave and Linda Hacker of Auburn, Cathy and John Hamilton of Bloomington, Linda and John Kelley of Bloomington and Steve and Pia Hacker of Belleville; sixteen grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren and fourteen great-great grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church in Virden, with Father James Palakudy officiating. Burial will follow at Virden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM, Friday, April 11, 2025 at Airsman & Calvert Funeral Home in Virden. Memorials are suggested and may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, 745 W. Center, Girard, IL 62640; Girard Fire & Rescue, 115 N. First St., Girard, IL 62640; Prairieland Ambulance, 610 S. Springfield St., Virden, IL 62690 or Sacred Heart Church, 722 N. Springfield St., Virden, IL 62690. Airsman & Calvert Funeral Homes, Virden is honored to be caring for Leona’s family.