Joyce Ann Scheele passed away on September 15, 2024, after a long battle with COPD.

Joyce was born to John and Naomi Speer on July 11, 1938, in Coleta, Illinois. After graduating from Sterling High School, she attended Illinois State University. After a year and a half of college she decided to move to Kansas City, Missouri to train to become an airline stewardess. During this time, she met her first husband and married Charles M. Ross in October of 1959. Joyce ditched the plans to fly around the world and started a family. By 1969 she had five children.

In 1970 she divorced and went to work raising her family as a single mom. She worked a full-time job for an accounting firm in the 70's and early 80's while raising her children. Joyce found her true life partner in 1981. She married David E. Scheele in February of 1982. David had three children from a previous marriage whom she loved and cared for like her own.

In 1983, Joyce and David moved to Belton, Missouri. She changed jobs and worked in the health care industry up until her retirement in 2013. Joyce was a member of the Belvidere Heights Baptist Church for 35 years. She taught Sunday school and occasionally played piano for church services. She loved playing her piano, knitting items for her family, Royals baseball and KU basketball. She also enjoyed her swimming pool.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents John and Naomi Speer; her husband David E. Scheele ; her son Mark Phillip Ross ; and son-in-law Doug Sprague. She is survived by her children Mike Ross (Jason), Patrick Ross (LeAnne), Jeff Ross (Robin), Beth Smith (Greg), Dawn Sprague, Jeff Scheele (Stephanie) and Chris Scheele; 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; her surviving siblings Jean Cameron (Carlyle), John (Jack) Speer (Susan), Cheryl Binns (Tom), Karla Anderson; along with many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 21, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. [ LIVE STREAM ]. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The American Lung Association ; or Belvidere Heights Baptist Church , 15109 White Avenue, Grandview, MO 64030

Joyce along with David will reach their final resting place on Saturday, September 28th at 1:00 p.m. at Prairie Home Cemetery ( located at 581st Avenue & 711th Road, Pleasant, Nebraska, 1.5 miles north of Diller.)