Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT August 7, 1997

Leona V. Ott-Higgins

July 16, 1923 - August 2, 1997

Leona Vera Ott-Higgins, 74, of Orange City, Fla., (a former long-time resident of Baroda, Mich.) passed away after a year-long illness at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, in her home in Orange City.

She was born to Arthur Anton and Pauline (Kuden) Haase on July 16, 1923, in St. Joseph, Mich. Her parents were well-known Washington Avenue farmers.

Leona was a 1941 graduate of St. Joe High School, St. Joseph.

On March 14, 1943, in Zion Evangelical Church, St. Joseph, Mich., as Leona Haase, she married Richard J. Ott, who preceded her in death on November 5, 1987.

In April 1989, she married Emil M. ''Earl'' Higgins of Orange City, who survives. Leona is also survived by three children, a son, Rick Ott of Deland, Fla., two daughters, Connie Unruh of South Bend, Ind., and Karen Moore of Orange City; one grandson, Rick Deja; one brother, Art Haase of St. Joseph; and by two sisters, Caroline Siewert of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Elaine Kerill of St. Joseph.

She and her husband Dick were both employed by PEMCO in Bridgman, Mich., for many years, she as an executive secretary and Dick as plant superintendent. Later, they and their business partners ran Respond, Inc., in Baroda.

After Dick joined Premier Tool & Die Cast Corporation in Berrien Springs, Mich., Leona began a career as the Baroda village clerk, a position she held from 1979 until 1987, when she retired. Upon her retirement, the village presented her with a letter and Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of Civic and Meritorious Service to the Village of Baroda.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. today in the Kerley & Starks Funeral Home, 802 Main Street, St. Joseph, Mich.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Kerley & Starks Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Ruggles Cemetery, Baroda.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32119.