Vera Joan "Jo Ann" (Mahin) Leonard-Brees

Vera Joan “Jo Ann” (Mahin) Leonard-Brees, 83, former Shelbyville resident, passed away Thursday October 10, 2013 at Morning Breeze Retirement Community and Health Care in Greensburg. She was born August 31, 1930 in Decatur County, Indiana, the daughter of Rue E. and Lillian Grace (Kocher) (Douglas) Mahin. She married Dwane E. Leonard on August 15, 1947. He preceded her in death on January 29, 1988. On October 25, 1991, she married John “Jack” Brees of Milroy, Indiana and he survives. Mrs. Brees owned and operated “Jo Ann’s Clip & Curl Beauty Shop” for twenty years. She also worked at Bank One, Shelbyville’s Main Branch, and retired from there in 1994 after sixteen years of service. She was a member of the Milroy Christian Church, The Milroy Church Guild, Milroy Monday Study Club, the Milroy Research Literary Club (where she served as Secretary and President), and the Order of Eastern Star, Milroy OES #471. She is survived by her two sons, Scott Edward (spouse, Catherine) Leonard of Rockwall, Texas and Todd Jay Leonard (spouse, Shingo Ono) of Fukuoka, Japan; one grandson, Bryce Edward Leonard of Rockwall, Texas. She is also survived by four step-children, Joetta Kirk, Janet (spouse, Evan) Piper, Joyce (spouse, John) Thompson, all of Rushville and Steven (spouse, Tammy) Brees of Wanamaker, Indiana. She is also survived by nine step-grandchildren, Chasity and Travis Kirk; Jason and Justin Wicker; Emily (Piper) Cain; Brianne (Alsman) Brewer, Jameson Alsman; and Jennifer and Ashley Brees. In addition, she is survived by 17 step-great grandchildren and one great-great step-grandchild. Her parents, one sister, two half-sisters, and two half-brothers preceded her in death. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2013 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Milroy Christian Church, 201 W. Main St. in Milroy. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, at the church. Interment will be in Lewis Creek Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Milroy Christian Church, 201 W. Main St., Milroy, Indiana 46156 or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th St, Columbus, Indiana 47201.