Joan Farless

Joan (Branum) Farless, age 82 of Independence, Kansas died Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016 at the First Christian Church with Les Green officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery under the direction of the Webb & Rodrick Chapel & Crematory.
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Webb & Rodrick Chapel in Independence, Kansas.
The family has suggested memorials to the First Christian Church and contributions may be left at the Webb & Rodrick Chapel & Crematory.
Joan (Branum) Farless was born November 1, 1933 in Leslie, Arkansas to James Elbert and Blaine Edris (Harness) Branum. The family moved to Buffalo, Missouri in 1944 where Joan graduated from the Buffalo High School.

On March 30, 1952 Joan married William "Bill" Donald Farless in Buffalo, Missouri. He passed away January 15, 1994. Beginning in 1955 they spent the next 15 years in Missouri, California, Wyoming, Colorado and Louisiana during her husband Bill's employment in the aerospace industry. In 1971 the couple moved to Independence, Kansas from Slidell, Louisiana. Joan worked at the Fabrific Store and Four County Mental Health before joining Mercy Hospital where she retired in 1999 from the business office with over 20 years of service. In addition, she co-owned the Montgomery Ward Store with her husband.

Joan was a member of the First Christian Church serving for 27 years as Treasurer. She was a member of the Kings Sunday School Class, CWF, and was on the church board serving as chair of the Memorial Committee. She was also a member of PEO, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, Investors Limited, Duplicate Bridge Club, and numerous other bridge clubs. She also volunteered at Washington and Jefferson schools as a reading mentor.

She loved playing bridge, tennis and watching her children and grandchildren play any sport and participate in all activities. Joan was an avid sports fan. She was a KU, KC Royals and KC Chiefs superfan!

Survivors include one son Dr. Blaine Farless and Heather of Fort Worth, Texas; three daughters Donna Bennett and husband Marty, Judy Shepherd and husband Brian, Laurie Rutland and husband Jeff, all of Independence, Kansas; two sisters Myra Reser of Lincoln, Missouri, Janna George and husband Joe Bill of Owasso, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren Jennifer & husband Jeff Guthrie, Madison Bennett - Davis, Holly, Lindsey, and Skye Farless, Austyn, Dustin Shepherd, Andy & wife Ariana Shepherd, Sidney and Whitney Rutland; three great grandchildren Lyndi & Logan Guthrie and Savannah Shepherd.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and three brothers: Claude Earl, Maurice James, and William Ray Branum.

Visitation

Webb Rodrick Chapel
306 W Main
Independence, KS  67301
Thursday, May 19, 2016
12:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m.

Webb Rodrick Chapel
306 W Main
Independence, KS  67301
Thursday, May 19, 2016
6:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m.

Service

First Christian Church
319 West Laurel
Independence, KS  67301
Friday, May 20, 2016
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery
N Penn Avenue
Independence, KS  67301

Memorial Contributions

First Christian Church
319 W Laurel
Independence, KS  67301