Joanne was born on August 25, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Walter C. and Sue Ellen (McGuire) Elleman. The passion of Joanne's life was the Lord Jesus Christ, her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and church, especially the children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Richard Meloy, her grandson, Carl Griffin, her great-granddaughter, Piper Medinas, a nephew, Mitchell Elleman, and nieces, JoAndrea Barnes and Theresa Meloy.
Joanne is survived by her adoring husband, Robert L. "Bob" Meloy, children, Craig Meloy and wife Mimi, Nancy Griffin and husband, Ted, and Jennifer Noone, daughter-in-law Jeanne Meloy, grandchildren, Mandi Scherieble and husband Ryan, Lindsey Medinas and husband Mark, Bryce Noone and wife Lily, Rachael Meloy, Becca Meloy, Darrick Noone, Vic Griffin and Leah Griffin, great-grandchildren, Ashlea and Ayden Scherieble, Marley, Micah and Karac Medinas, and Penelope and Wells Noone, a brother, James Elleman and wife Pat, and sister, Donna Creswell as well as nieces Shelley Barnes and Kim Meloy and nephew, Mike Elleman and wife, Ellen, great nieces and nephews, Katie Jo Brandl and husband Chris, Taylor Smith and wife Lauren, Melissa Prosky and husband Tim, Julia Elleman and Zoey Barnes and one great-great nephew, Corbin Smith. The only gift Joanne ever asked for was to have family around her and a great number of weekends and holidays were spent with this wonderful large extended family.
Joanne committed her life to Christ as a child, and lived out that commitment all the years of her life. Her devotion to Jesus and her unconditional love was evident to all she knew and met.
Joanne graduated from East High School in 1951. She belonged to Eulexia Literary Society, participating in dramatic reading contests and serving as President in her Senior Year. She met Bob Meloy through her brother Jim, and one day while horseback riding in Swope Park, neither of their horses would move and they ended up at the back of the ride together. The dating soon followed.
Her first job was working on roller skates to pick catalog orders at Montgomery Wards and later she worked with friends as an operator at Western Union Telegraph.
A young man was not allowed to date Joanne unless he went to church with her, so Bob quickly changed churches and began attending Greendale Baptist where they married on May 29, 1953.
In 1954, her career became to raise her children who were blessed to have their mom at home, as she constantly corralled, challenged and lovingly cared for four growing, adventurous youngsters.
Joanne loved gardening, starting with her Victory Garden during World War II and continued growing beautiful gardens in her yards until she could no longer physically work in them.
Joanne and Bob moved south in 1966 but continued to drive back to Greendale Baptist as Joanne was working in children’s ministry and Bob was leading music and teaching young adults. They later became members of the early Red Bridge Baptist Church in South Kansas City, and desiring to continue to serve Christ, they taught a young adults class in their home and Joanne later began her service to the children of the church.
After the kids were older, Joanne worked at the Kansas City Regional Development Council and then at Avila College in the Registrar’s office while attending classes there.
Word processing became the latest technology and Joanne wanted to pursue a new challenge so Bob’s secretary taught her how to use the Wang word processing computer system. The new skill opened an opportunity at Panhandle Eastern just down the street from Butler Manufacturing where Bob worked so; they were able to ride to and from work together for several years.
Joanne never let inexperience or barriers stop her. In her 40’s, she decided she wanted to be a server for a fine restaurant. Without experience, but determined, she talked Jasper Mirabile into hiring her. She started out on the lunch shift but soon did well enough to move to the dinner shift at Jasper’s Italian Restaurant where she enjoyed serving people.
During all of her jobs outside the home however, ministering and teaching to children was always her passion. After working as a volunteer in the children’s ministry at Red Bridge Baptist Church for many years, she became the full-time Children’s Ministry Director in 1984 where she faithfully served for 15 years. Joanne and Bob brought Growing Kids God’s Way to Kansas City, providing parents with curriculum to support their desire to raise Godly children. During that time, she affected and influenced countless children and their parents, the next generation of which is still being positively influenced by her ministry. Hearing and reading comments from parents confirms the impact she made. Comments such as:
• “She would make sure even babies touched and felt the Bible to begin to impress upon them the importance of the Word of God”
• “She uttered the first scripture at least two of my kids ever heard on their 2nd day in the hospital”
• “You always considered teaching both a blessing and a privilege”
• “I had the blessing of opening the door to allow children to leave for children’s church and to watch their joy in rushing to be “first” in Joanne’s lineup.”
• “You truly do let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you”
• “When God blessed us with our first child…we were overwhelmed with the thought of our responsibilities and lack of ‘know-how’. You became like a ‘Mom” – showing love and care, visiting in the hospital, being there with a listening ear and providing a wonderful Sunday School environment for our children to learn about Jesus!”
• “Only in glory will you realize all those lives you have touched as you hear, ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant’”
There is no doubt a large hole will be left in our hearts and homes, but her example of a Godly life and her value of the Word of God will reverberate throughout the generations.
Proverbs 31:28 – ‘Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, he praises her”.
Visitation will be held from 5-6 pm on Sunday, January 5, 2020 followed by the funeral service at Red Bridge Baptist Church, 4901 East Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64137. A private burial will be at Park Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Luke’s Hospice, 3516 Summit St., Kansas City, MO 64111
