* Oneta Deleo; Teacher, Interior Decorator

Oneta Deleo, a former substitute teacher and interior decorator, died at her home in Ventura on Thursday after battling cancer. She was 71.

She was born July 13, 1928, in Blanchard, Okla. Her family later moved to Corona, Calif., where she grew up and attended school.

After she married John Deleo in 1949, they lived in Bakersfield until 1957, when the family moved to Ventura.

She was a substitute teacher in Ventura County schools for many years and then started a career as an interior decorator.

She enjoyed traveling and bridge and was a member of book and investment clubs.

Her husband of 48 years preceded her in death.

Deleo is survived by sons Tony of Ventura and Mike of San Jose, daughter Nancy Mercuiro of San Diego and three grandchildren.

Donations in her name may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center at 633 3rd Ave., 28th Floor, New York, NY 10017, Attn. Sue Shay.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday, followed by recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Monday in the Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.

A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday in the San Buenaventura Mission with Msgr. Patrick O’Brien officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.