Born on May 15th, 1939, Leona Franey Oehm (née Ash) of Ayton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, in her 80th year, surrounded by her family following a five year battle with leukemia. Eldest daughter of Vera Scott and Edwin Ash (predeceased), she is survived by her siblings Edwina “Winnie” Comley of Stratford, Jim Ash of Thunder Bay, Wilma (John) Wraight of London, and Mary Lynn Senay of Belle River. She leaves behind her husband Charles “Bud” Oehm of Ayton, and his daughter Linda (Ken) Roseborough of Hanover. She will be fondly remembered by her children Jo Ann Switzer (Larry) of Hanover, Glen Koenig (Kim) of St. Thomas, Linda (Randy) Becker of Hanover, and Wanda (Warren) McCall of Sidney B.C., as well as her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leona began her working life at the age of 16 as a telephone operator before marrying Nelles Koenig in 1957, and built a home in Ayton to raise their children while working in the family business. She was later a secretary for Horizon Chick Hatchery, and finally a janitorial business owner, managing to retire at the young age of 43 to her cottage in Sauble Beach. In 1993, she married Bud Oehm, with whom she enjoyed lawn bowling, fishing, and caring for her beloved dog Kristy. Leona will be remembered by her family as strong, determined, and resilient, and her presence will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to organizations of Leona’s choice: the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Canadian Lutheran World Relief, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.