She led a nomadic childhood during World War II, often spending time with her grandparents. Her father was assigned to the Air Force Squadron in Okinawa shortly after the island was taken by U.S. forces. When she was fourteen, she, her mother, and little brother John traveled thousands of miles by sea to live in Okinawa with their father.
Joan began her love of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church when her grandmother first introduced her to the church when she was twelve. She and her husband were married there, as were her two children and two of her grandchildren. She remained an active and faithful member for as long as she was physically able; she loved singing in the choir and socializing with her friends.
Joan, and later in life her two children, attended Border Star Elementary School, Southwest High School, and the University of Missouri. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, which remained important to her for the rest of her life.
It was at MU she met and married Bill Meeker, from Columbia, Missouri. While Bill was finishing up his studies, Joan had a baby girl, Kathy. After a few years, the family moved to Kansas City and had a baby boy, Bill. Joan was a devoted mother whose children always came first. Once they were in school, she went to work for BMA. She retired after 20 years at the company where she was well-liked and respected by everyone.
She was an avid Chief’s fan and her ‘whoop whoop whoop’ as she cheered on her team is legendary!
An awesome grandmother to Lee, Paige, David, Jack and Chris, her grandchildren loved and adored her, affectionately calling her "Nana the Barbarian." The grandkids remember her as a lover of chocolate and peanut butter, and they attest to the fact that she made the best PB&J sandwiches around--because she added butter to them! She was also the best cereal maker--cutting up banana pieces for their Cheerios and letting the grandkids add as much sugar as they wanted to the bowl.
Joan leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, William D. (Bill) Meeker; her children, Miriam Kathleen (Kathy) Smith and husband Rick, son William D. (Bill) Meeker, Jr., and wife Pam; her grandchildren, Lee Welek and husband Tom, Paige Cline and husband Phil, David Meeker, Jack Unger and wife Bridgette, Christopher Meeker; and the great-grandkids. Joan will be forever remembered by her brother, John Kizer, his wife Michele (Mike), and Joan’s nephews, Jeff Kizer and John Kizer, III and wife Kelley.
Joan’s compassion, grace, kindness, and her sweet and loving spirit will live on in those she loved and touched. Joan/Mom/Nana will be sorely missed. But finally, after a decade-long battle with dementia, she is free and at peace.
She was truly an angel on earth, with an infectious laugh and a disarming smile even in the face of tremendous obstacles. She has earned every bit of her halo and wings. Her memory will endure.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation be made in Joan's name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208; https://www.alz.org/kansascity/ and/or to her beloved St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Choir.
Long live Nana the Barbarian!
