Leona F. Rakers, 87, of Aviston, died Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Countryside Manor in Aviston. She was born December 23, 1921 in Breese TWP, daughter of John and Mary (Niemeyer) Voss. She married Anthony A. "Tony" Rakers April 22, 1941 at St. Francis Church in Aviston and he preceded her in death April 28, 1999.

Mrs. Rakers is survived by five sons, Jerome (Edna) Rakers, Donald J. (Ruth Mary) Rakers, Walter "Peepers" Rakers, all of Aviston, Howard (Mary Lou) Rakers of Breese, and Anthony "Tony Jr." (Mary) Rakers of Trenton; two daughters, Mary (Tom) O’Brien of Aviston and Margie (Joe) Heinzmann of Breese; 23 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Annie Kalmer of Trenton, Rita Kalmer of Damiansville, Robert (friend, Ceil Markus) Haselhorst of Breese, Delores Langenhorst of Beaver Prairie, Johanna Heimann of Fairview Heights, James & Marilyn Rakers of Aviston, Julie & Walter Toennies of New Baden and Charles Rakers of Aviston.

In addition to her parents and her husband she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Michaela Kampwerth; two sisters, Clara T. Rakers and Regina Horstmann; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Bernard Rakers, John Horstmann Vince Kalmer, Victor Kalmer, Mary "Sally" Haselhorst, Vincent Langenhorst, David Heimann, Dolores Rakers, and Aloyisius and Rita Rakers.

Mrs. Rakers was a homemaker and operated Rakers Truck Service for 27 years with her husband. She was a member of St. Francis Parish.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Dan Friedman and Deacon Charles Litteken officiating. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Clinton County Relay For Life, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation and will be received at the funeral home.