Leona Hershberger passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, January 17, 2019, just three months shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born in Muskegon, MI on April 15, 1917 to George and Hazel (Linstrom) Pulsifer. She lived all her life in the Muskegon area.
Leona was the eldest of seven children and attended Bunker School in the Lakeside area. When she was a teenager, Leona learned to play the guitar. She met Claude Hershberger on a blind date through mutual friends, and they were married May 25, 1935, at Wood Avenue Methodist Church in Muskegon.
Leona and Claude loved camping and traveling and were members of the Happy Wanderers chapter of the TTCM. Leona was a 50-year member. They visited all 50 states, most of the Canadian provinces, as well as Mexico, England and Scotland.
She also took several trips and cruises with her siblings. Leona’s hobbies were gardening and sewing, and she made many beautiful quilts which she gave as gifts. Leona and Claude loved to play cards, and Leona was the last surviving original member of the 500 Club.
She was a long-time member of Crestwood United Methodist Church. Survivors include one son, David Hershberger; one daughter, Jean Dusenberry; seven grandchildren – Arinda Davis, Ross Hershberger (Gina Tuskey), Marianne Hersh-Tudor, Christopher Hershberger (Janet), Jennifer McGeen (Daniel), Dr. Jeffrey Hershberger (Alice), and James Dusenberry; six great-grandchildren, Beatrice Hersh-Tudor, Jacqueline Bohne, Aaron Dusenberry, Jordan Dusenberry, Kylie Dusenberry, and Jacob Dusenberry. Leona is also survived by one sister, Ruth Heimann, along with many nieces and nephews.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Claude; sisters Dorothy Pulsifer, Mona Pulsifer and Blanche Nicholes; brothers Robert Pulsifer and Richard Pulsifer; brothers-in-law Benjamin Heimann and Harvey Nicoles; sisters-in-law Katherine Pulsifer and Joyce Pulsifer; and daughter-in-law Yvonne Misailedes. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 22, at Crestwood United Methodist Church, 1120 Creston St., Muskegon, with Pastor Jennifer Wheeler officiating. Burial will take place at Elbridge Cemetery in Oceana County.
Visitation at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave. , (231) 726-5210, will be Monday, January 21, from 5-7 PM, and one hour prior to the service at church. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.
sytsemafh.com Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hershberger may be made to Crestwood United Methodist Church. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Leona M. Hershberger please visit our Sympathy Store.
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