Avada Isophene Leaf, 83, of Olney died Wednesday September 27, 2006 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  Funeral services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with Rev. Brian Brewer officiating. Burial in Crest Haven Memorial Gardens in rural Claremont.

Mrs. Leaf was born on December 5, 1922 in Richland County, the daughter of Cecil and Irene (Gertsch) Scherer. She married Robert E. Leaf on January 13, 1940. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1968.

She was owner and operator of Virginia's Flowers in Olney from December 1, 1957 to December 31, 2004. She was a member of FTD for 45 years. She held offices in District 5-H for many years. She was a member of the Board of Directors of Illinois State Florists for 16 years.

Avada taught design through Olney Central College. She served on the Board of Directors of the Olney Chamber of Commerce, she was a past President of Olney Business and Professional Women's Society and she served her community with many volunteer hours given. She served timelessly, giving to RMH Auxiliary. Avada was active in the Masonic Order, she was the leader of Rainbow Girls for several years in the 60's. Avada was active in Oddfellows, Rebekah Lodge.

Mrs. Leaf is survived by three daughters, Anita Shidler and her husband, Edward of Lehigh Acres, Fla., Karen Funk and her husband, Guy of Olney and Linda Kurz and her husband, Ron of Broken Arrow, Okla.; son Dennis Leaf and his wife, Caryn of Hoffman Estates; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Myrl Scherer and his wife, Peggy of Olney; sister, Florence Orr of Albion and sister-in-law, Evelyn Scherer of Riva, Md.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Ray Scherer; two great-great-grandchildren.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)