Leona “Onie” Gunia

Leona “Onie” Gunia, 94, of Peru, passed away July 17, 2024 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru.

Private services will be held at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with The Very Rev. Thomas Otto officiating.  Burial will be in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle.

Leona was born in La Salle on March 19, 1930 to Frank and Pearl (Sroka) Balachowski.  She married Eldon S. Gunia in St. Patrick’s Church in La Salle on August 26, 1950. 

She was a secretary at Schwerman Trucking.  She was a graduate of La Salle-Peru Township High School.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, life member of VFW Auxiliary and Oglesby American Legion Auxiliary.  Leona volunteered as a cooperative weather observer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Service for 50 years.

She is survived by one son, Randy (Julie) Gunia of Peru; two granddaughters, Rachel (Ryan Anderson) Gunia of Chicago and Lauren (William) Anderson of Ottawa; two great-granddaughters, Blair and Rylee Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eldon on December 25, 2011, one son Jay Stephen Gunia, one granddaughter Katie Gunia, one sister Flay Balachowksi, one brother Eugene Balachowski and other siblings.

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