JoAnn Evelyn Hillard Obituary

JoAnn Evelyn Hillard, age 91, of Shelbina, MO, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Salt River Community Care in Shelbina, MO.

JoAnn was born on August 1, 1932 near Dunlap, IA, the daughter of Bert and Eva (Higgins) Black. She attended Dunlap Public and St. Joseph Catholic Schools until her freshman year in 1947 when her family moved to Shebina, MO. After graduating from high school with Shelbina Class of 1950, JoAnn worked as a bookkeeper and sales clerk until 1963 when she began a 35 year career as a legal secretary at the law offices of Bollow, Crist, Oswald, Wallace, McConnell, and Greenwell.

JoAnn was united in marriage to Robert Richard Hillard on February 14, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shelbina, MO. The couple lived and farmed in the Shelbina area all their married life except the time Robert was on active duty with the US Army. Robert preceded her in death on March 4, 1997.

Survivors include her four children, Linda Bender and husband John of Aurora, CO, Sandra Smith of Clarence, MO, Randy Hillard of Shelbina, MO and Robert Anthony Hillard and wife Tracy of Monument, CO; six grandchildren, Emily Allison, JR Smith, Megan Crawford, Nathan, Coltin, and Briana Hillard, and Jake, Kyle, and Peyton Carlsen; nine great grandchildren, Hannah Willard, Matt Breden, Kierstyn Bock, Austin Allison, Keegan and Harper Crawford, Bianca and Gemma Smith, and Graceyn Hillard; two great-great grandchildren, Easton Breden and Greyson Bock; one brother, Robert Black, Sr. of Shelbina, MO, and one sister, Virginia Boyles of Shelbyville, MO.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; parents; two sisters; one brother; two grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 12 pm to 2 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina, MO. Funeral services will be held immediately following the visitation on Wednesday at 2 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Shelbina, MO. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Altar Society, St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus, or Neighbors Helping Neighbors.