Joy Frances (McClellan) Landtiser of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (March 17, 2017) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville. She was born on July 11, 1925, at her parents' home one mile north of Livonia, Missouri. Her parents were Chester and Glynn (Gatlin) McClellan. She was named Joy by her dear brother, Carl, who had a story book with a little girl named Joy in it. Joy attended school at Livonia, graduating in 1943. In the 1990's, she and fellow student Don Martz obtained and compiled Livonia School Memories in the words of former teachers and students. Through this collaboration, the book called School Days preserves this history and was recently reprinted.

Joy was introduced to the Lord by Christian relatives early in her life. These folks taught her about Jesus and his love for us, about the hope of Heaven, and admonished her to obey God. She was saved, formally, at the age of 15 under the leadership of Bertha Porter, pastor of the United Brethren Church of Livonia. During a revival held by Brother Crandall, she was baptized in the Chariton River, near the site of a favorite swimming hole.

In the early 1960's, Joy became a member of the Lancaster Baptist Church and later moved her membership to Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville. She taught Sunday School classes for over thirty years.

On September 10, 1943, Joy married Charles Landtiser, who survives. When people would express shock at the way young people acted in ensuing years, she would say, "Well, you know Papaw and I eloped. How we must have worried our parents!"

In addition to her husband Charles, Joy is survived by daughters Jeda Kerby, Jean (Tony) Beeler, and Patricia (Lyle) York. Also surviving are grandchildren Chuck (Mary) Kerby, Carla (Joel) Hubert, Cynthia (Rowdy) Bergman, Brian (Michelle) Kerby, Brett (Wendy) Kerby, Mindy (Joe) Wortman, Shannon (Kelly) Long, Scott (Sara) Kerby, and Jaclyn (Andy) Brumm; nineteen great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and one son-in-law.

Family will receive friends on Saturday (March 25, 2017) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO, at 1:00 p.m. prior to a 2:00 p.m. memorial service with Brian Kerby officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Livonia, MO.

Memorials may be made to the Hamilton Street Baptist Church of Kirksville. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.