November 2, 1919 – February 15, 2020
Emalou Jane Leonard, 100, Sheridan, passed away on Saturday morning, February 15, 2020 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. Born November 2, 1919 in Hamilton County, she was the daughter of the late Lindley Perry and Lemon C. (Steffey) Pickett.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1937, she, like many women of the day, attended technical school to learn additional skills to help support the war effort. Emalou decided to attend the comptometer school in Indianapolis.
Emalou was as much a part of the town of Sheridan as the town was a part of her. Having lived for a century in northwestern Hamilton County gives you a certain perspective on things, and being born shortly after the end of the First World War, growing up in the midst of The Great Depression, and spending the first part of your young adult life engaged in the war effort during WWII will give you an education most people have only read about in books or seen in the movies. Growing up and coming of age during those times teaches you the importance of family and looking after your neighbors, and helps to instill a sense of service to your community.
For 18 years, Emalou proudly served the Town of Sheridan as Clerk Treasurer. After stepping down from that position, she would devote another 25 years working in the front office at Town Hall. For over four decades, Emalou was one of the familiar faces that people looked forward to seeing when they had business to take care of uptown. Most residents could just as easily have mailed in their water bills or other paperwork, but that wasn’t nearly as fun as dropping it off in person and getting to talk to Emalou and the other ladies at the front window and catching up on what was going on in town. It takes a very special group of people to make someone look forward to going into a government office, let alone giving them your money.
Emalou also was very active in many community organizations. She was a 75-year member of the Sheridan Chapter #226 Order of Eastern Star, served for many years as a member of the Sheridan Kiwanis, the Hamilton County Republicans Women’s Club, served as Republican Precinct Vice Committeeman for several years, and was a charter member of the Sher-ettes Home Ec. Club. She was also proud to be a life member of the Sheridan First United Methodist Church. Throughout the past 100 years, Emalou has been involved with countless groups, projects, and activities around the area. In recognition of her community involvement and life of service, in December of 1985, Emalou Leonard was appointed a Chieftain of Governor Robert Orr’s Staff with the Rank and Title of Sagamore of The Wabash, one of Indiana’s highest honors.
Family was by far the most important part of her life. On May 4, 1941, Emalou married the love of her life, Clayburn E. “Jack” Leonard, and they would spend the next 57 years by each other’s side. Jack and Emalou loved to fish and hit up just every lake, pond and gravel pit in the area. She loved going to Morse Reservoir and Lake Freeman but was just as happy sitting out at a fishin’ hole behind somebody’s field. As long as she was with family, she was right where she wanted to be. She didn’t shy away from hunting either. Emalou was always present for the annual Pickett Family Thanksgiving Day Hunt. She also loved giving her friends a run for their money at cards. She played with the Felix Grex Bridge Club, and with her Saturday Evening Euchre Club for over 70 years.
Emalou is survived by her son, Donald E. Leonard (Nancy E.), Monticello; two daughters, Mary Ann Lowder, Sheridan, and Nancy J. Tansy (Bob), Loveland, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Mary Lou Finchum (John), Lewis Morford IV (Kathryn), Catherine Lyn Wilson (Darren), Donald Earl Leonard (Lisa), Daniel Eric Leonard (Aurora), Kelly Cocco (Nick) and Kyle Tansy (Michelle); 19 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Martha Pickett, Cicero; two nieces, one nephew, and several great-nieces and nephews who will be missing their “Aunt Jane”; and by her sister and partner in crime, Kathryn Marie “Kate” Pickett, Sheridan. Between the two of them, they had more energy, orneriness and stubbornness than the rest of the family put together.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Richard L. and Ralph “Hap” Pickett; sons-in-law, Lewis F. Morford, Jr. and Eugene “Butch” Louder; and by her husband Jack, on April 9, 1998.
Services will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor Carol Fritz will be officiating. Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Kercheval Funeral Home in Sheridan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Sheridan First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements
Calling: 4 to 8 p.m., Feb. 19
Service: Feb. 20
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com