With heavy hearts we say goodbye to a dear wife, devoted mother and grandmother. Leota J. Hummel passed away March 7,2016. Leota was born in her family home on August 24, 1929 to Heber and Pearl Collins of Minooka. She graduated from Minooka High School and attended Illinois State (Normal)University where she earned her teaching certificate. While there she was active in the Glee Club, Science Club and a proud member of a championship intramural volleyball team. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brothers and sister: Samuel (Lowell) Collins, Nola Collins McKanna, Nobel Collins, Warren Collins, and Paul Collins. She is survived by her sister in law Aletha (Paul Collins) and brother in law Robert Johnston(Althea Hummel Johnston). Leota married Merlin V. Hummel of Oswego on August 11, 1956 and were within months of celebrating their 60th anniversary. They welcomed into the world three children: Dawn Hummel Faust (Glenn Faust), Denise Hummel Carter (Rich Carter) and Darrin Hummel. Following college, Leota worked for the Channahon and Yorkville School Districts as an Elementary School teacher. She left teaching full time while raising her children, but continued to work as a substitute at schools throughout the Fox Valley. Leota also continued her studies and in 1972 received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University. In 1980, Leota underwent surgery to stretch a heart valve. At the time, at best, the procedure was only expected to last about 10 years. In the years following the surgery, she was blessed to witness the graduation of her children from various schools and later their marriages and the birth of five grandchildren: Robert Carter, Danelle Carter, Andrew Carter, Tyler Hummel and Abigail Hummel. Leota continued to work at various part time jobs including Jo Ann Fabrics which served to feed her sewing hobby/addiction. She was a long time member of the Quilter's dozen - a local quilting group which annually contributes work to be raffled off at Oswego PrairieFest. The extended family will long cherish her detailed needle work. Leota was active and donated her time at the churches she attended through the years: First Baptist Church of Plainfield where she was baptized and married, Oswego Baptist Church, Claim Street Baptist Church, Morningstar Community Church and Valley Baptist Church. She helped coach Awana teams at both Oswego and Claim Street Baptist Churches. Late in her life she was able to achieve a long time goal of being accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolution. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY, 1801 S. Douglas Road, Oswego, IL 60543. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 11, 2016 at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Aurora, IL. Memorials may be made to Valley Baptist Church, 2480 Wolf Road, Oswego, IL or Wayside Cross Ministries, 215 E. New York St., Aurora, IL 60505 or Donor's Choice. For information: 630/554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com