Joyce Eileen Mathias

Ms. Mathias died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka after a long illness.

She was born Jan. 1, 1941, in Wood River, Ill., the daughter of Jacob Henry and Lola Louise (Eckman) Wagemann. She grew up in Wood River, attended Southern Illinois University and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Ms. Mathias was a teacher and artist as well as a homemaker. While living in Lake St. Louis, Mo., she served as an officer in the local Artist’s Guild and volunteered with the Ski Club. She substitute-taught for the Wentzville Schools and for St. Mary’s Academy in O’Fallon. Ms. Mathias and her family moved to Overland Park in 1986, and she worked for 14 years for Hoechst Marion Roussel, retiring in 2001.

Ms. Mathias was active in the National Association of Purchasing Managers, Cure of Ars SDW Catholic Fellowship, SACS and the Live Wires and Swinging Singles dance clubs.

She married James E. Mathias in 1962. They later divorced.

Survivors include a son, James Eric Mathias, Austin, Texas; a daughter, Julia Eileen Manglitz, Lawrence, Kan.; a sister, Carol Howard, Godfrey, Ill.; a brother, Richard Wagemann, Wood River, Ill.; and close companion, John Bechtel, Kansas City, Kan.

The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice of Topeka, St. Luke’s Hospice of Kansas City or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of White Plains, N.Y., sent in care of the funeral home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.