Leona Fern (Messick) Bland

Leona Fern (Messick) Bland, 88, was born July 7, 1934, on a farm in rural Cedar County near Forest Grove country school to Floyd (Bike) Messick and Ina (Curnutt) Messick. She passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility in Stockton.

At the early age of four, Leona started attending Forest Grove School, later Johnson School, and graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1951.

On Sept. 13, 1953, Leona married Clifford (Clip) Bland. To this union, two sons were born: James Brent in 1957 and Kirk Alan in 1962. Clip and Leona lived in Kansas City in their early married life and moved back to El Dorado Springs after a few years.

They were consistent in Godly values and instilled what was of utmost importance in their son’s lives, honoring God, finding Salvation through Christ, and living exemplary lives guided by scriptural principles.

Leona worked alongside her husband and sons in the automobile business. Her work ethic and bookkeeping were thorough, consistent and impeccable. The drive of her life was her family, and she wanted the absolute best for them. She lived her life constantly with eternity in view and reachable and lived for the day she would be in Heaven forever. We rejoice today that she has arrived, and we are eternally grateful for her testimony and the legacy she left us of faithfulness.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Clip; parents, Bike and Ina Messick; an infant sibling; sister, Leola Bland; and grandson, Dustin Bland.

She is survived by her sons, Brent (Jennifer) Bland and Kirk (Kerri) Bland of El Dorado Springs; grandson, Tyler (Amy) Bland of Kansas City; grand-daughters Kasi (John) Simrell of Walker, and Alyson (Benjamin) Haavik of El Dorado Springs. Also surviving are great-grandchildren: Kaydence, Ashlyn, and Liam Carreno of Kansas City, and twin Simrell great-granddaughters arriving in early summer.

She also leaves behind a sister, Kay (Ben) Harper of El Dorado Springs, and sister, Fay Sayre of Stockton, and many nieces, nephews, and dear lifelong friends.

Funeral service for Leona Bland will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, at El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness) with burial Following at El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 9-10 a.m. Friday at El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness).

Online Condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.