Judy Mooneyham

(From Clark Funeral Home)

December 27, 1937 to February 23, 2020

"All earthly matters fade away when Heaven cannot wait another day."

Heaven welcomed another angel today. Judith Ann 'Judy' Houk was born in the village of Saginaw, Missouri to Pete and Oleta Houk. She was the only daughter among their three sons.

Music was a cornerstone of Judy's entire life. Accompanied on the piano by her mother, she excelled as first soprano at a tender age. She sang in her church choir and participated in the National School, Band, Orchestra and Vocal Association amonth other competitions with her vocal performances.

Judy recounted her most vivid childhood memories as part of an elementary school project for her grandon, Danny. She told him of the time in 1945 when the end of World War II was announced on the family radio. She was extremely excited when her mother granted her permission to relay the news outside to her father and the other men laboring in the fields.

As a teen, the mayor of Neosho crowned Judy as "Queen of the Strawberry Festival" at the fairgrounds with five hundred people in attendance and over thirteen thousand votes cast that week. Upon Judy's Freshman year at Neosho High School she was nominated as a candidate for Homecoming Queen.

Soon, she would catch the eye of an upper classman, Jerry Dan "J.D." Mooneyham, who was sewpt off his feet and took her as his bride in August of 1954. They have recently reached their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary.

Following Jerry's Naval Service and college graduation from Pittsburgh, Kansas, the young couple ultimately relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. There they raised their two daughters, Stephany Michele and Lu Ann and their only son, Gregory Dan.

Judy continued her singing through adulthood with church choirs and special choral groups, some of which sang in Italian and German. With these groups she performed in nursing homes and other civic events. She volunteered as school roommother, Browning Troop Co-Leader, and served in various civic organizations. In Eureka, Missouri she joined the "Newcomer's Club" which became a group of permanent friends and social club for many years.

As co-owner with Jerry in their travel business, Judy visited nearly every state in the country as well as provinces in Canada. Her favorite trip was to view the fall foliage each year in New England. Together, with their travel partners, Bill and Betty Mooneyham, they toured Venice and other cities in Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. They also enjoyed several Caribbean Cruises.

Judy steadfastly cared for her mother, Mom Houk and her son, Greg, until their passing. It was her final wish to be reunited with them in heaven.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, Jerry D. Mooneyham, her brother, Gary Dwayne "Pokey" Houk, daughters, Stephany Michele (Rossier) and Lu Ann (Michaelree) and grandsons, Parker Kent and Connor Jordan Rossier and Matthew Jason and Daniel Paul Michaelree, many nieces and nephews and other family members. She will be missed by all.

VISITATION

Clark Funeral Home - Neosho
Friday, February 28, 2020
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
312 S. Wood St.
Neosho, Missouri

Visitation will be held at Schrader's Funeral Home, Eureka, Missouri on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at 11:00 am.

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saginaw Baptist Church
Saturday, February 29, 2020
11:00 AM
Saginaw, MO 64864

Burial will follow in the Saginaw Cemetery. In lieu of floers, the family requests that donations be made in Judy's honor to Hospice of BJC or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospical, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.