Wanda June Helsley

Wanda June Helsley, daughter of the late Charles & Lola (Weaver) McClanahan, was born August 1, 1932, at her home in Webster County, Missouri. The Lord called her home on March 24, 2025, in Hartville, Missouri, at the age of ninety-two years.

On May 5, 1952, Wanda was united in marriage to A.J. Helsley and to this union a daughter and son were born.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband, A.J., daughter-in-law, Bernice Helsley, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Berna and Marie Helsley, sisters-in-law, Juanda Prelle, Eunice Kopp and Beverly Helsley, brothers-in-law, Walter Kopp and Larry Bledsoe.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Davis and son, Jeff Helsley, both of Hartville, Missouri; four grandchildren, Brooke Oliver and husband, Spencer, of St. Joseph, Missouri, Katie Wynn and husband, Ryan, of Hartville, Missouri, Sarah Boston and husband, Jason, of Bryson City, North Carolina, and Brendon Helsley and wife, Lydia, of Hartville, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren, Taijha Lyle, Maddox Lyle, Azleigh Wynn, Ella Boston, Finleigh Wynn, Anderson Helsley, Silas Helsley, and coming soon, baby boy Helsley; one brother, Roger McClanahan and wife, Linda, of Marshfield, Missouri, sisters-in-law, Jennie Helsley of Valley View, Texas, Bernadette Bledsoe of Hartville, Missouri, brother-in-law, Bruce Helsley of Mountain Grove, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.

Wanda June was raised on farms in Webster County and later Hartville, Missouri. She loved farm life. She and her brother Roger worked hard at a young age to help parents Charlie and Lola on the dairy farm.

Wanda June attended country grade schools Sunrise School and Dry Branch School. She graduated from Hartville High School in 1950 and played every sport they offered for girls and was also on the cheer team. During high school, she showed her horse, Lady, at several horse show events. After graduation, she attended SMS College, but soon moved back to Hartville and met the love of her life while working at the Wright County Courthouse. A.J. was fresh out of the Army and they eloped to Mountain Home, Arkansas when she was nineteen. They soon moved to Wichita, Kansas, to work for the City of Wichita in hopes of earning money to buy a farm near their home town of Hartville. They both were insurance agents at M.F.A. Insurance, later Shelter Insurance, and raised beef cattle. Wanda delighted in family life with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Wanda and A.J. loved to travel and went all over the U.S. and Mexico, spending seventeen winters in South Padre Island, Texas, after retiring. She even visited Ireland in her 80’s.

Wanda attended Hartville Freewill Baptist Church most of her adult life with her family and would help there any way she could.

Wanda was a wonderful seamstress and loved quilting, gardening, cooking, and travel. She was a great supporter of all Hartville School sports. June, as some knew her, was very social and loved get-togethers at home, holiday meals, visiting relatives, church, and the community center.

Wanda loved time with family and keeping the grandchildren and great-grandchildren when she could. Even in her 90’s, she would drive to shop, to church, to doctors and to visit friends and relatives.

Wanda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she has created for her family and friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hartville Free Will Baptist Church Meals Program or Steele Memorial Cemetery.