JoAnn Leslie

JoAnn Leslie, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 10:00am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.

JoAnn was born April 5, 1941 in Ottawa, IL to Harry and Antoinette (Siefert) Gage. She married Charles Leslie on September 3, 1960. She loved spending time with family and friends, reading, fashion and flowers. She made many arrangements for weddings, where her husband was the photographer. She volunteered with A Servant's Heart for many years and was a member of the Newark American Legion Auxiliary. She worked as an election judge and wrote for the Ottawa newspaper for many years. More than anything, she was a strong woman of faith. She attended church regularly and never met a stranger she didn't pray for.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Charles Leslie; her children, Deborah (Scott Hauge) Walker, Diana (Michael) Hart, and Charles (Jessica Volpe) Leslie II; her grandchildren, Sandy (Ryan) Mathre, Steven (Heather) Walker II, Aaron (Kelsey) Hart, Michaela (Nathan) Zachreus, Truman Leslie, and Sydney Leslie; her great grandchildren, Kelly (Chris) Murawski, Jackson Walker, Allison Walker, Jameson Walker, Tessa Hart, Phoebe Hart, Sadie Zachreus, and Caleb Zachreus; her great great grandchildren, Matthew and James Murawski; her siblings, Richard (late Connie) Gage, John (Boi) Gage and James (Sarah) Gage; and many lifelong friends who became family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Antoinette; and her sister, Jean Cavanagh.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to A Servant's Heart.