Jeanne Pekarek

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Jeanne Pekarek, age 89, of Joplin, passed away September 4,2023, at Westgate at Wildwood Ranch.

Jeanne was born November 18,1933, in Chicago Il, the daughter of Ernest J. Maye and Marie Lamberta Maye. The family moved to Missouri the summer before her senior year of high school. 

She married Lawrence Pekarek on April 23,1955 in Marshfield, MO.

She is survived by six children, Joseph A. Pekarek and wife Linda of Osceola, MO, Thomas E. Pekarek and wife Janice of Joplin, Timothy A. Pekarek of St Louis, Daniel A. Pekarek and wife Ann of Joplin, Susan R. Jones of Webb City and Andrew G. Pekarek and wife, Sarah of Eagle Rock MO, grandchildren, Michael Pekarek (Kristina) of Missoula, MT. Andrew Pekarek (Carol) of Bloomington, IL, Garrett Pekarek (Whitney) of St Louis, MO, Preston Pekarek (Lydia) of Wichita, KS, Joshua Fox (Airica) of Cassville, MO, Emily Pekarek (Anthony)of Lenexa, KS, Abby Pekarek (Jordan) of Overland Park, KS, Riley Payne of Springdale AR, Adam Jones (Lacie) of Webb City, MO, Zachary Jones (Torie) of Lamar, MO, Kaitlin Jones of Joplin MO, Jonathan Pekarek of Manhattan, NY, and Jacob Pekarek of Eagle Rock, MO. She is also survived by one sister, Ann Davis and husband, Duane of Neosho, MO, numerous nieces & nephews as well as 14 great-grandchildren.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her mother and father, the love of her life Larry, sister Therese Koester, brother George Maye, numerous Brother and Sister’s in Law and Grandsons Joseph Pekarek and Matthew Fox.

Jeanne was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother & friend. She devoted her life to caring for her family, as well as to a lifetime of nursing, her chosen profession. She graduated from St. John's Nursing School in Springfield, MO in 1954 with an RN nursing diploma. She worked as an RN at St. John's in Springfield and later at St. John's in Joplin for a total of 38 years. She had many interests and some of her favorite activities included camping and other family gatherings, square dancing with her husband, Larry, traveling, crochet, playing cards & Rummikub. She especially enjoyed playing with all her grandchildren.

Visitation at Thornhill-Dillon will be held Thursday, Sept. 7 from 5:00-6:30, followed by a rosary. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Joplin Area Catholic Schools or St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Mary's Catholic Church, in care of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.




A funeral mass will be held Friday, Sept. 8 at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Rev. Joe Weidenbenner officiating. Burial will follow at Osborn Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cory Davis, AJ Pekarek, Garrett Pekarek, Preston Pekarek, Zach Jones and Josh Fox.