Janet Locke

Janet Sue (Wheeler) Locke was born April 2, 1949, in Humansville, Missouri, the second child of James Allen Wheeler and Lois Nadean (Jones) Wheeler. She passed away at Mercy Hospital in Springfield on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at the age of 74 years. An innate love of family was cultivated in Janet from an early age. She truly treasured her childhood memories of growing up, playing with her Wheeler and Jones cousins. A natural-born leader, it was her mission to stay connected with their families even in adulthood. She loved sports of all kinds and knew the rules of every game she watched. She enjoyed nothing more than taking part in the lives of her grandchildren. She rarely missed an event and spoiled each one in her own special way. Janet made a new friend everywhere she went and thrived on reconnecting with long-ago friends, former schoolmates and students. Growing up in Bolivar, Janet worked as a “soda jerk” at Jester’s on the town square. She was a 1967 graduate of Bolivar High School. Janet attended Southwest Baptist College before marrying James F. (Jim) Locke of Halfway on August 24, 1968, at Brighton Baptist Church. The two were privileged to share 55 years of marriage together. After Jim’s discharge from the U.S. Air Force, the couple settled in Halfway to raise their family on a dairy farm. Growing up in town, Janet came to embrace the farm life and shared in the responsibilities that came with it. Janet sang with Sweet Adelines in the 1970s and seized every opportunity to be involved her children’s activities. After they were grown, Janet returned to college. She earned her undergraduate degree in education from Southwest Baptist University, and a master’s and specialist’s degree from Missouri State University. In 2005, Janet and Jim moved to Bois D’Arc after selling their farm so they could be closer to work. Janet had a passion for youth and excelled in her career as an educator. She taught middle school science in the Humansville, Buffalo and Willard school districts before retiring in 2012. Janet was a member of Bolivar First Baptist Church and had regularly attended Sac River Cowboy Church since moving to Bois D’Arc. Janet loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. She was always up for a gathering and coveted any opportunity to fellowship with others. She regularly attended outings with the Willard Middle School Retirees and especially enjoyed getting together with the Lunch Bunch, a treasured group of ladies sharing friendship for more than 55 years. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Ronald James Wheeler. She is survived by her husband, Jim, of the home; daughter, Joann, and husband, Jim Pipkin, Republic; son, Jason Locke and Junie, Stockton; grandchildren James William Cameron Locke and wife, Hannah, Stockton; John Connor Locke, Lebanon; Jera Vehige and husband, Kyle, Billings; Jay Clayton Locke and wife, Amy, Stockton; Jayden Cooper Locke, Bolivar; Sophia Yokley; and Jace Pipkin; and two great-grandchildren, James Locke and Cora Locke, and a baby girl due in May. Also surviving are her brother John Wheeler and wife, Joanna, Bolivar; and sister Brenda Potts and husband Randy, Bowie, Texas; sisters-in-law Jane McKinney, El Dorado Springs; Terri Locke, Halfway; and Debra Coppage and husband Carl, Bolivar; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 12 to 1 p.m. with services to follow at 1 p.m. at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Burial will follow at Reed Cemetery south of Halfway. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sac River Cowboy Church, P.O. Box 127, Willard, MO 65781, or to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, 620 W. Republic Road, Ste. 107, Springfield, MO 65807. Time is the most precious gift we are given, and Janet freely gave hers to all who crossed her path. May we all give, love and serve others just as Janet did.

Janet Locke

April 2, 1949 - January 18, 2024