JOYCE ANN LEIVAN

JASPER- A funeral service will be held at 12 noon Friday at Konantz Warden Funeral Home in Lamar for Joyce Ann Leivan, 84, who died Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors prior to the service, beginning at 11 a.m.

Contributions may be made to Special Operations Warrior Foundation, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include her children, Kenton Starmer and wife Lisa, Webb City, Shawn Starmer and wife Shelley, Lamar, Barry Leivan and wife Amy, Green Forest, Ark. and Laura Law and husband Kerry, Poquoson, Va.; a sister, Myrna Mardis, Lee’s Summit; her grandchildren, Julie, Kristen, Seth, Jordan, Baylee, Ethan, Nolan, Zara, Shaeden, Savanna, Drew and Casey; great grandchildren, Taylor, Braden, Brynna, Hudson, Breckyn, Indie, Gatlin, Elsie and Maelin and great-great grandson Colton.

She was preceded in death by a brother Dale Moritz and son-in-law, Phillip Svitak.

Mrs. Leivan was born Nov. 5, 1938, in Ainsworth, Neb., to Leslie (Child) and William Moritz. She was a 1956 graduate of Lamar High School. In her life she was employed in several fields including working at AT&T and as a seamstress for Big Smith. She was the owner and operator of Jasper Tavern from 1971 to 1996 and then worked as an associate at the Carthage Walmart for 19 years.

She enjoyed working in her yard, growing flowers and mowing. She was resourceful and creative. She was an excellent seamstress and carpenter who remodeled her home and even made her own kitchen cabinets. She enjoyed and was exceptionally good at researching genealogy, not only for herself but for her family’s family as well. She was a supporter of the Jasper community, especially the local businesses and could often be found enjoying a cup of coffee with friends at Judy’s Cafe.