Leona Georgetta Gradel, of Freeburg, was born on September 22, 1937, at Argyle, a daughter of Leo Ben and Anthoine "Ann" (Hoffman) Lock, and departed this life at 3:14 p.m., on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, in the Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City. She had attained the age of 81 years, 3 months, and 24 days.

Leona was united in marriage on June 8, 1957, at Freeburg, to Eugene John "Pistol" Gradel, and to this union, two children were born.

She was member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg.  During her working life, Leona, along with her husband, had owned and operated Leona and Pistols Place, Freeburg, for twelve years followed by her being employed at Quaker Window Products Company, Freeburg, for eight years.  She was then employed by the Missouri Department of Revenue, Jefferson City, for twenty-eight years prior to her retirement in April of 2000.  Leona had also worked in the Holy Family School kitchen as a cook, preparing meals for the school lunch program, for several years.  She enjoyed cooking, going to the boat, being with her family, and especially the Friday night "Board Meetings".

Those left to mourn the passing of Leona include:  Her son, Allen Gradel, and wife, Denise, and her daughter, Brenda Becker, and husband, Richard, all of Freeburg; granddaughters, Paige Lafferty and husband, Nick, and Chelsea Becker, all of Freeburg; great-grandchildren, Paisley Lafferty, Brayden Lafferty, and Riley Lafferty; brothers, August Lock and wife, Lucille, of the state of Texas, and Ralph Lock and wife, Jane, of Bland; sister-in-law, Marcella Gradel, of Freeburg; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pistol, on August 28, 2012; her father, Leo, on July 7, 1981; her mother, Ann, on September 15, 2008; and her three sisters, Pauline Gardner, Lillian Welschmeyer, and Roberta Boehmer.

A Prayer Service will be held for Mrs. Leona Gradel at 3:30 p.m., on Friday, January 18, 2019, followed by her visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., in the Holy Family Catholic Church, 104 West Oliver Street, Freeburg, Missouri  65035, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2019.  The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, with the Rev. William D. Debo as the Celebrant.

Interment will be in the Holy Family Cemetery, Freeburg, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna.  Pallbearers for Mrs. Gradel will be Chris Lock, Ronnie Rackers, Curtis Stegeman, Carl Porting, Paul Bassett, and Richard Holterman.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Leona Gradel are suggested by her family to the Holy Family School with envelopes available at the church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri  65582.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mrs. Leona Gradel at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com