Leta Joy VunCannon

A beloved and cherished wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. She will be remembered for her ready smile, loving nature, her deep abiding faith and her desire to serve her family, extended family, church family and anyone who needed help.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, May 4, 1936, the daughter of Paul and Alice (Allen) Winans. Leta spent most of her life in Iowa and graduated from Boone High School, Boone, Iowa in 1954. She received her associate degree in Home Economics from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa in 1956. Leta married Carl W VunCannon, Jr. September 8, 1957, in Creston Iowa. Following the wedding they moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and in 1959 moved to Ithaca, Michigan to support her husband in his career in education. Leta and Carl shared 69 years of joy and happiness together.

Leta was a dedicated member of the Everlasting Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Day, Independence, Missouri. She cherished her time with her church family and actively supported her husband in his ministry for many years.

Leta enjoyed reading, sewing, music, art, cooking and decorating her home. She was a talented musician, artist and writer. She was a babysitter for most all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She served her community by providing early childhood education experience to hundreds of children as Director of Ithica Day Nursery.

Leta dearly loved the times when family would gather at our home to celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations or just to get together. Her family was her crown in this life.

Leta was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Arthur Paul Winans, Jr. and Philip Winans, sisters Melba McDowell and Dawn Dringenberg. She is survived by her loving husband, children Carl W. VunCannon, III (Suzy), Jodie L. Reeves (Mike), Valerie D Scott (David), David P VunCannon (Michelle). Eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins who considered her a mother figure in their lives.

The Celebration of Life Service will be November 28, 2026, at the Everlasting Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Day, 14480 E. 42nd Street South, Independence, Missouri 64055. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am – 11:00 am, service at 11:00 am. There will be no graveside service.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Brighton Hospice for the kind; loving care she received from them over her extended illness. A very special thank you to caregiver Michelle Hampton from Mind Over Matters Senior Care for her loving care, support and concern for Leta.