June Gilbert

June Gilbert was born November 5, 1927, in Ridgedale, Mo., to Edna L. Jones and Hubert H. Hopper. She died on Nov. 4, with her son by her side in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Funeral services will be held at the Nevada United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with visitation one hour prior starting at 1 p.m., at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs, Mo. Memories of June and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.

June was the first in her family to complete high school. She earned her R.N. degree at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, through an Army-funded program which required her to report to a MASH unit upon graduation. However, since World War II had ended before her graduation on May 18, 1947, she was not required to report to duty.

She married Lionel Leon (“Rusty”) Haynes, a former Navy pilot and school teacher on Jan. 20, 1950. They had one son, Andrew Ky Haynes.

During her nursing career, June served in operating rooms, physician offices, and as a school nurse. The pinnacle of her career was as Unit Director for the Nevada State School and Hospital, where she cared for patients with both mental and physical disabilities.

After caring for Rusty throughout a lengthy illness until his death, June married her best friend, Harry E. Gilbert, on February 14, 1991. June and Harry enjoyed life to the fullest through shared interests in cooking, antique and collector clubs, decorating for the holidays, and most importantly, playing with their grandchildren. He preceded her in death. June loved being a grandmother, and, in addition to cookies and candy, she made the very best Halloween costumes for her grandchildren.

June was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church. She was baptized July 1, 1945, at Saint Luke’s UMC in St. Louis, Mo., and thereafter joined the Methodist church whenever she moved to a new town. She served in nearly every position at the Nevada UMC. She chaired the Church Council, taught adult Sunday school, decorated the altar, and created the prayer shawl ministry, among many other things. Upon moving to John Knox Village in 2010 to be near her son, she joined First UMC of Blue Springs.

June is survived by her son, Andy Haynes (wife Sally) of Blue Springs, Mo. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Winston Haynes (wife Farani) of Palo Alto, Calif.; Caroline Sallen (husband Joe) of Boone, Iowa; and Vera Haynes (fiancé Nate Elwood) of Hays, Kan.; and one great-grandchild, Arianna Sarah Haynes.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Nevada UMC or First UMC of Blue Springs. The family wishes to thank the loving staff of John Knox Village, particularly the Memory Care Unit of the Village Care Center.