JoAnn Navarro Cloninger

JoAnn went to St. Joseph High School where she was active in Varsity Cheerleading, Pep Club and Theatre and then attended St. Teresa’s Academy, where she was active in the Senior Business Employment Club and was crowned Homecoming Queen Attendant at Rockhurst High.

After graduating in 1957, she attended the University of Kansas with the love of her life, Jerry Cloninger. They married on October 29, 1960 and were blessed with two children as they built a wonderful life together, which spanned fifty years. JoAnn had a successful 55+ year career with Tupperware, received ‘Sales Dealer of the Year’ on several occasions, and earned many trips, merchandise, and awards. She volunteered for several school activities from PTA to Camp Fire Girls and Scouts to Cheerleading and Football. JoAnn was also a Founding Member of the Sigma Chi Mom’s Club at Pittsburg State University. The consummate cheerleader, JoAnn also loved attending her grandkids’ activities. Jerry and JoAnn spent many years camping with the kids over the years and in 1975 bought their lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks. They spent many years hosting friends and family, boating and skiing, and having fun. As an avid needlepointer, JoAnn was a proud member of the Greater Kansas City Needlepoint Guild. She stayed very active with St. Teresa’s Academy and recently attended her 65th High School Class Reunion. She also loved cheering on her Jayhawks and got to enjoy watching a final game the day before she passed with a final “yea team”, as well.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry; brother, Joe and sister, Nena. She is survived by son, Craig (Mindy) Cloninger, Pittsburg, Kansas; daughter, Krina Cloninger Snider, Peculiar, Missouri; four grandchildren, Jake (Randi) Cloninger, Hank Cloninger, Drew Snider and Emma Snider; plus her two great granddaughters.

Services will be held at the Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, Kansas on JoAnn’s birthday Wednesday, December 21 with Visitation at 10am, Rosary at 11:45am, and Mass at Noon, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Livestream of the service will be available online at www.cureofars.com/funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in JoAnn’s name to Saint Teresa’s Academy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Cloninger family.