Teal (Cunningham) Leonard

Teal Leonard

ASHMORE – Teal Leonard, 91, of Ashmore, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 under the care of Lincolnland Hospice.

The funeral service honoring her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 28, 2018 at the Caudill-King Funeral Home, 1117 Jackson, Charleston, with Pastors Vance Oliver and Walt Truex officiating.  Burial will follow in Augustus Cemetery, rural Paris.  Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Teal was born January 23, 1927 at Heber Springs, Arkansas, daughter of Samuel and Dora (Beasley) Cunningham.  She married Max Berry in 1945.  In 1948, she married John H. Leonard, Jr.  She is survived by her children: Max David Berry of Winnebago, IL, Maranna Oakley of Charleston, John H. Leonard III of Paris, and Tom (Tammy) Leonard of Mattoon.  One sister: Jody (Tony) Comstock of Ashmore; grandchildren: Richard Oakley of Bethany, Darin Oakley of Rantoul, Elizabeth Phillips of St. Charles, MO, Vanessa Bishop of Burlington, WI, John H. Leonard IV of Effingham, Erica Berry of Eugene, OR, Rachel Clark of Effingham, and Amanda Apke of Teutopolis.  Sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews also survive.  She was preceded in death by four brothers: Ernie Cunningham, Sam Cunningham, Ray Cunningham, and Paul Cunningham; three sisters: Lena Danner, Neva Deming, and Thelma Wright. 

In her younger years, she was an expert horsewoman on a working cattle ranch in Texas and a professional musician.  After raising her family, she went back to school and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education.  Teal taught third grade in the Findlay, Illinois schools.  After retirement, she received certification in Pastoral Care, and had served on staff at Effingham St. Anthony Hospital and other area hospitals.  Teal became an Ordained Minister in the Church of God (Anderson, IN).   She tutored and mentored many young people, and was also a foster parent.  Over a period of several years, Teal traveled the world, sometimes with her baby sister in tow.  Teal’s family is honoring her wish to be buried in an old fashioned, handmade wooden casket. 

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