Leslie A. Mayfield

Leslie Allison (Durnell) Mayfield, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 23, 2021, after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Leslie was born in Sturgis, Michigan on October 3, 1946 to Beatrice (Barber) and Grant (“Bud”) Durnell, who both predeceased her.  She was also predeceased by her only sibling, Dennis G. Durnell.   

Her legacy of love continues to live on through her three children, Anthony Teall, Jennifer Thacker, and Kathleen “Katie” Mayfield, her six grandchildren, Josiah (Kayla) Saballa, Alexus Joiner, Carson Thacker, Teona Fuller, Treyton Mayfield and Lillian Thacker, and four great grandchildren, Hakoda, Elaina, Rowan and Avelyn Saballa. She is also survived by her sister in law, Karen Durnell, nephew, Grant Durnell, and nieces, Melissa Miller and Megan Lieb, as well as their children. 

Leslie also leaves behind her best friend (the sister she never had as she would always say), Jan Stacy, and will be sorely missed by her best cat, Garfield.

Leslie’s professional career was focused in insurance and billing for medical professionals, and she retired in 2013 from Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, Elkhart.

Big love and strong faith were most important to her. She was a member of River Oaks Community Church, River District in Elkhart.  Before her health declined, she loved volunteering her time in childrens’ ministries, the HUGS project, and serving at Faith Mission.  She had such a special gift for loving on others through her baking.  She found great joy in baking and decorating a special personalized jumbo cupcake for her co-worker’s and family member’s birthdays.

Leslie also held a special place in her heart for her neighbors at Stratford Commons and the fun times they shared playing bingo and gathering together for community events and potlucks.

The greatest joy of her life was her family but when she wasn’t busy supporting and cheering on her grandkids, she loved to be outside watching birds and being near water. 

Her kids and grandkids especially remember the “love notes” that were handwritten notes of encouragement or appreciation. What would the world be like if we all incorporated love notes to ourselves, our family and friends, coworkers and even strangers into our lives? Why not write a love note in her memory today? We may not always see the love that will grow, but we all have the power to plant the seeds.

Friends may visit with family from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514. Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the funeral home where visitation will be one hour before services. Pastor Scott Matthews will officiate. Donations may be made to www.actionpf.org  to further research and one day find a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

Her family would like to thank the Center for Hospice, Elkhart, for their compassionate support and care, which allowed them the gift of caring for Leslie at home during her last season of life. 

If you would like to gift fully prepared meals to the family in this difficult time please click on this link: https://www.memorialmeals.com/sendmeals/103436/sendmeals

To order a copy of the Tribute Video for $10 please see the funeral home staff or call 574-293-6411

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leslie A. Mayfield, please visit our floral store.