Leeann Broyles, 84, of New Castle, passed away peacefully following an extended illness on September 4, 2022, with her family and friends by her side.

She was born on July 10, 1938 in Wilkinson, Indiana, a daughter of the late Grover and Viola (Woods) Wills.

Leeann was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School. During her lifelong residency in New Castle, she held a variety of administrative positions within the community. She spent most of her career working for the New Castle School Corporation, where she began her work as a secretary for the high school counseling department then transitioned into the athletic department and finally retired as the administrative assistant for the principal in 1999. Full of energy and life, she just could not sit still so she took a variety of jobs until her health began impacting her. She worked at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Henry County Clerk’s Office, Community Corrections Department and part-time as a real estate agent with Crossroads Realty. Leeann was also a proud member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary and the Moose Lodge.

She enjoyed crocheting blankets for family and friends, fishing lakes throughout Indiana and Kentucky, and she loved watching sports, especially the Indiana Pacers. Leeann was always considered a class act and never went into public without her hair being perfected, nails painted and her make-up carefully applied. You see, she had a propensity for perfection. It was said that she could never sneak up on anyone at school because everyone could hear the click-clack of her high heels as she was coming down the hall. She brought joy to everyone she encountered and she never met a stranger. Leeann will always be remembered as a kind, giving soul and will be forever missed.

Those left to cherish Leeann’s memory include her three children, Cheryl (Herran) Bise of New Castle, Brad Herran of Virginia Beach, VA, and Ronna (Broyles) Christner (Ali Shahdadi, and his daughter Samira) of Gilbert, AZ; five grandchildren, Shalei (Rogers) Hunt (Justin), Garrett Bise, Josh and Amy (Bergan) Herran, Lauren (Herran) Carlson (Josh), and Justin Herran; two great-granddaughters, Makenna Hunt who she thought hung the sun and moon, and Remy Carlson, as well as her friend and caretaker, Gary Jones.

Leeann was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Dana (Barton) Merter, and survived by two nieces, Jama (Merter) Parramore and Kessha (Merter)Fischer.

Per Leeann’s request there will be no services.

Leeann’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for the loving care and attention given by the caregivers at Henry County Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Castle High School Athletic Department, 801 Parkview Dr., New Castle, IN 47362 or the Henry County Hospice, 798 N. 16th St. New Castle, Indiana 47362

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.