Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Leafy Jane Hudson, née Plant, a former longtime resident of Mentone, passed away in the presence of her children on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in the care of Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake.
Born and raised in Kosciusko County, Leafy graced this earth for 91 years. Her life was an enduring testament to the power of boundless love, and unwavering devotion to her family every step of the way.
Born on Sept. 21, 1934, in Washington Township, to Hannah Leona Taylor Plant and Glen Arthur Plant. Leafy was one of six children born into a household full of love. She was named after her mother’s cousin, Leafy J. Rowan. She graduated in 1952 from Sidney High School in Sidney. A few months later and a week after her 18th birthday, Leafy married the love of her life, Jerry C. Hudson, on Sept. 28, 1952. Leafy and Jerry were blessed with nearly 60 years of marriage before Jerry's passing on May 26, 2012. Together, they raised four children and proudly watched their family grow to include multiple generations of beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Leafy proudly earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Grace College in Winona Lake and her master’s degree from IPFW. She went on to teach English at both colleges for several years. She was a talented storyteller and published a children’s book titled “Buzzy Byron Bumble Bee” and wrote numerous articles for magazines and various newspapers. Leafy enjoyed being active in her community, she was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary Club, Winona Literary Club and active with the Merry Molly’s, Jolly Jane’s and Mentone Reading Club.
More than anything, Leafy cherished her role as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the heart of her family, and her boundless love will be deeply missed and forever treasured. She leaves behind a legacy of beautiful memories for her children: Honey (Larry) Kuhn, Mentone; Jerry (Becci Elder) Hudson Jr., Warsaw; Darrell (Kathleen) Hudson, White Plains, Md.; and David Hudson Sr., Mentone. Also surviving are her 11 beloved grandchildren: Nicole (Peter) Hatfield, Brownsburg; Craig (Ani) Kuhn, Stevensville, Mich.; Adam (Laura) Hudson, Bourbon; Erica Neher, Warsaw; Angela (Miguel Villazon) Hudson, Arlington, Va.; Alicia (Korey) Elkins, Santa Rosa, Calif.; David Hudson Jr., Manhattan, Kan.; Jes (Sta’s) Daszkiewicz, Indianapolis; Joc Tran, Indianapolis; Robert (Gabi) Ondish, King George, Va.; and Emily (Buddy) Garcia, Katy, Texas; as well as her great-grandchildren: Tessa, Maxwell, Elias, Abigail, Gavin, Jacob, Tatum, Dallas, Hudson, Grayson, Gwendolyn, Audrey, Roman, Lark, Lilia, Warrior, Addi, Meredith, Sophia, Reagan, Alina and Ania. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, Aimee Marie Hudson; three brothers: Maurice, Joseph and John Plant; and two sisters, Pansy Michael and Mary Emma Elder.
Leafy’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 2 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Mentone Cemetery, Mentone.
Memorial donations may be directed to Bell Memorial Library, P.O. Box 368, Mentone, IN 46539; or to Warsaw Community Public Library, 310 E. Main St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
