Leona Gale Gilkey

Leona Gale Gilkey, age 75, resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, went to be with our Lord on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Hedrick Medical Center, Chillicothe, Missouri. Gale was born daughter of James S. Utley, Sr. and Ethel E. (Browning) Utley Wells on July 7, 1935 in Wheeling, Missouri. She attended Willard Country School, and lived most of her life in Chillicothe, Missouri. On July 7, 1971 she married Richard "Dick" Gilkey in Livingston County, Missouri. He preceded her in death on May 15, 2003. Gale was a member of the Red Hatters, and a former member of Eagles Lodge. She was giving and compassionate, and loved cats. Gale is survived by her mother Ethel Wells; son Stephen Locke and wife Suzi of Ankeny, Iowa; daughter Dottie Jo Meadows and husband Harry of Battlefield, Missouri; twin brother Leon Dale Utley of Chillicothe, Missouri; brother Donald Utley of Chillicothe, Missouri; sisters Eva Hayes of Chillicothe, Missouri, Dixie Millner and husband Brad of Chillicothe, Missouri; nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society, and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.