Wanda J. Haley

Wanda J. Haley, age 66, of Belle, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014, at the St. Clare Health Center in Fenton with her family at her side.

Wanda was born on September 16, 1947, in Boonville, MO. She was the daughter of the late Walter F. and Thelma Beatrice (Hagemeier) Gerhardt.

Wanda graduated from Tipton High School, Tipton, MO, in 1965. She went on to attend the University of Missouri – Columbia and graduated in 1969 with a teaching degree in Home Economics.

On July 12, 1969, she was united in marriage to William “Bill” L. Haley at the First Baptist Church in Tipton, MO. Wanda and Bill moved to Belle from Troy, MO over 30 years ago and together raised two wonderful daughters.

Wanda spent her adult life being a teacher, of which she loved. She taught at Troy, Wentzville, and Hazelwood school systems, but her favorite years as a teacher were spent at the Maries R-2 Middle School in Bland, MO. For over 25 years of Wanda’s life, she served the school. Along with teaching Home Economics and all of her teaching duties, she was the sponsor of the National Junior Honor Society. She was known for throwing the best haunted houses at Halloween time. She also sponsored the cheerleading squad for many years. She retired in May 2012. She will be remembered fondly and missed by all of the kids who passed through the Bland Middle school.

Wanda was a member of the Bland Christian Church. Her hobbies included: sewing, scrapbooking, and antiquing. She was an animal lover. She had two pets to keep her company, her dog Maggie, and her cat Kaylie. She loved growing flowers in her garden, but her greatest joy was time spent trying to keep up with her two active grandchildren.

Along with her husband of 44 years, Wanda is survived by two daughters, Michele Haley and her fiancé` Kenneth J. Gehlert of Belle and Heather Haley of St. Louis; one granddaughter, Skyler M. Rice, and one grandson, Dillon M. Rice, both of Belle; one brother, Harry Wayne Gerhardt of Richmond, TX and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at the Bland Christian Church with Pastor Bruce Elmore officiating. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the St. John’s Cemetery in Billingsville, Mo.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the National Junior Honor Society of the Bland Middle School.