Peggy Diane Hodges

Peggy Diane Hodges, 75, passed away early, Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Topeka.

She was born July 30, 1948 in Sabetha, Kansas the daughter of Robert L. and Naomi F. Barton Messinger.  Peggy attended Emporia High School and graduated with the Class of 1966.  Peggy worked as a waitress during high school at  the Mitway Café.

She married David H. Jones on June 2, 1967 in Emporia, Kansas. They had two daughters together.  David and Peggy lived in Emporia until divorcing in 1982.

Peggy started working on the production floor at Fanestil  Meats and worked her way up to salesperson.  She excelled at sales and was named Salesperson of the Year several years in a row as a result of her hard work.  Peggy put her sales experience to work in later years at Chester Press.

Peggy began a new chapter in her life when she married Dennis Hodges on September 5, 1987.  She owned and operated Peggy Sue’s Restaurant at Beto Junction for eight years.  Peggy was a supportive farm wife. Working with Dennis at the family farm west of Lebo.  She later took the position of  head cook at Lebo Schools and remained there until her retirement.  Peggy had previously worked at the Allegre Rexall and at Casey’s General store in Lebo.

Peggy will live on in the hearts and memories of her daughters, Julie Harrison of Emporia,  Dava Jones (Edward) of Topeka, Ks, Jayne Spitznogle (Shane) of Valdosta, Georgia;  sons, Jeff Hodges (Kristin) of Lebo and John Hodges (David) of Kansas City, Missouri; a sister, Pat Whitley of Liberty, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; numerous extended family and a host of dear friends. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Roger Messinger and her husband, Dennis Hodges who passed on October 18, 2020.

The family invites you to come celebrate Peggy’s life at 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory in Lebo.  The family will attend private inurnment services at Lincoln Cemetery in Lebo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lebo Band  Department, The Lebo United Methodist Church or the Lebo Baptist Church and sent in care of the funeral home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.