Maria Elena Leal

Maria Elena Leal, 71, of Bluffton and formerly of Defiance, died 12:55 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at her residence. She was born June 8, 1950, in Elsa, Texas, to Estevan and Anna (Rosa) Gonzalez. She married Reynaldo "Ray" Leal Jr., Jan. 29, 1968, and he survives. Maria's other survivors include five children, Hector Leal, Michelle (Kevin) McKinley, Cynthia Leal, and David Leal all of Defiance, and Sara (Angela) Leal of Bluffton; 20 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and five siblings, Maria Bishop of St. George, Utah, Elia "Ellie" Alvarado of Hamler, Edna (Arturo) Lomeli of Leipsic, Lisa (Dennis) Nagy of Maumee, and Rebecca (Bryan Yoxthimer) Dunbar of Findlay. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Estevan Gonzalez Jr.; and brother-in-law, Phil Alvarado. Maria worked as an industrial seamstress with R & B Fabrications. She enjoyed Shipshewana and was an avid collector of Betty Boop. She especially loved family reunions in Texas and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Leipsic. Burial will follow at a later date. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Hancock County Hospice. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com