Karen Louise (nee Leonard) Chontos, age 56, of Hobart, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on November 2, 1960 in Gary, Indiana to Harry and Arlene Leonard. On October 12, 1985, she married Jon Chontos, who survives. She was currently employed as the guidance secretary at River Forest High School. Karen was a devoted member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. In her free time, she enjoyed crafts, traveling and vacation time with her family, but nothing was more special than time spent spoiling her nieces and nephews.

Karen is survived by her husband, Jon Chontos; daughter, Majken Chontos; son, Jordan Chontos; mother, Arlene Leonard; brothers, Dennis (Kim) Leonard of Hobart, Jim (Lorie) Leonard of Hobart; sisters, Diane Leonard of Lake Station, Sandy (Dan) Waldrop of Hobart, Pam (Marty) Huff of Lake Station; brother-in-law, Steve Chontos of Hobart; sister-in-law, Shari (Troy) Lemon of Valparaiso; many loving nieces, nephews and other family members and friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Leonard; grandparents, Ture and Christina Soderquist, Ben and Utha Leonard; father and mother-in-law, John and Dorothy Chontos. Memorial contributions in Karen's name may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 2:00 until 8:00 pm at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart. A funeral service for Karen will take place Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6240 Grand Blvd, Hobart with visitation there from 10:00 am until the time of service. Rev. Frederic Lams is officiating. She will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.