Joan Massa

Joan Marie Massa, age 71, of rural Lamar, passed away early Saturday morning, July 21, 2012 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.      Joan was born April 25, 1941 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri to William and Rosa (Winstead) Hardwick.  On October 17, 1958, at Cape Girardeau, she married John A. Massa and they made their home in Cape Girardeau, Herculaneum, and Festus before moving to Barton County in 1991.  Joan had worked at various jobs over the years, but the role she valued most was being a homemaker and the titles she cherished were wife, mother, and grandmother.  An active member of Iantha United Methodist Church, Joan sang in the choir and served as president of UMW for several years.  Many will remember her as an election judge for Central Township.      Survivors include her husband of nearly 54 years, John Massa, of the home; three sons, Russ (Denny) Massa, Lamar, Forest Massa, St. Louis, and Kurtis (Angie) Massa, Festus; nine grandchildren, Allie (Clay) Runnels, Makensy Massa, Dylan Massa, Megan Massa (fiancé Devin), Lauren Massa, Blaine Massa, Amber (Will) Finch, Danielle (Jared) Campbell, and Jacob (Taylor) Massa.  Joan treasured her six great-grandchildren and was looking forward to welcoming the seventh who will be born next month.  Also surviving are her siblings, Norma (John) McKee, Festus, Myrna, (Don) Linnenkamp, Davenport, Iowa, June (Jerry) Bolen, Huntsville, Alabama, Bill (Paulette) Hardwick, Greenbrier, Arkansas, Donna (Gil) Janes, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Roger Hardwick, St. Louis; two sisters-in-law, Jeanne (Ron) Squalia, San Antonio, Texas and Sherry (Charles) Reed from Tennessee.  She leaves a large extended family; a host of close friends and neighbors; and an especially dear friend, Lucille Wolf.      Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 24th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday.  Burial will be in Iantha Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Iantha United Methodist Church or Hospice Compassus, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.