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BORN
1942
DIED
2025
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Mary Ellen Joyner Obituary
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 will forever be etched in our memory: the date our mom Mary Ellen Joyner passed peacefully at home at the age of 83. She wrote most of her obituary below; although it is well written and accurate, it cannot nearly encompass who she was, what she accomplished, and the impact of her legacy on all who knew and loved her. We miss her dearly.
You need to be up just before sunrise to see the beautiful colors and the clouds meandering, streaking, and rolling across the sky. Just listen and you will hear not one bird, but a chorus of birds. And if you are lucky, you will see a heron, an owl or other fowl swooping gracefully across the horizon. For years, actually decades, the morning sky thrilled my every day; may you be so fortunate. As a child I had awakened my parents to share the beauty I saw. Eventually, I met Sage. No words are adequate to convey my admiration, gratitude, and love for Sage. Our daughters and their families made me immensely happy and proud. I never stopped counting my blessings.
Mary Ellen Yankoff Joyner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin passed away surrounded by her loving family. Preceded in death by her husband H. Sajon Joyner, her parents Pete Elia and Elizabeth Reezoff Yankoff, her sister Patricia Grace Yankoff and cousin Thomas Wallgren. Survived by daughters Elizabeth Joyner Hanna (Paul), Arista Joyner Butler (Bryant), Tricia Joyner Seaberg (Doug), grandchildren Jeffrey Hanna, Matthew Hanna, Sajon Seaberg, Jasper Seaberg, and Mason Seaberg. Many cousins including Nick Vasil (Tracy), Pete Vasil (Pat), Ed Wallgren, Patsy Vasil Schell (Bill), Charlie Wallgren (Brandi). Nieces Christa Joyner Moody (Mark), Crystal Joyner Ostlund (Brian), and DeAnna Joyner Joseph (Bryan).
Born in the Macedonian community of Granite City, Illinois, a native of Desloge, Missouri, she graduated from Stephens College and Washington University (St. Louis) with a degree in English. Her entire professional life was spent teaching, her childhood dream. She was a member of Holy Trinity Macedonian-Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Madison, Illinois; St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, the Order of St. Ignatius, and the Sisterhood of the Antiochian Christian Women’s Organization.
Most of her volunteer life was dedicated to the arts and the Wichita Art Museum, where she served as chairperson for the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum for multiple terms. She was active in the Wichita Junior League, Wit and Wisdom, Arts Partners of Wichita, Andover Public Library, Andover Arts Council, PEO, National Council of Teachers of English, and the National Education Association.
The funeral service will be held Monday, December 15th at 7:00 pm at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 7515 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, Kansas. Viewing will be at 6:00 pm, an hour before the service. Interment will be Tuesday, December 16th at 10:00 am at the Indianola Cemetery, Andover, Kansas. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The St. George Choir, St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 7515 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS 67206
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Ellen Joyner
5 Entries
Debbie Deuser
December 16, 2025
I just found this and am saddened by such a loss. It was always a pleasure to work with Mary Ellen and the Friends of WAM. She was generous with her praise and enthusiasm for the staff and the many projects they endorsed. She leaves a wonderful legacy and joyous memories.
Pam Porvaznik
December 14, 2025
I sure hated to see this. Mary Ellen was such a joyous spirit! She and her husband opened their lovely home to the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum for years. She always had that mischievous twinkle in her eyes--especially when she came asking you to do something for the arts. Mary Ellen was a
leader, a cheerleader, a do-er and just an all-round special gal. So many in the community will miss her. But, she joins Mary Ellen Barrier, Bev Hoover, Dora Timmerman and Dot Shannon on high. Those wonderful women will be organizing heaven, perhaps having a drink or two with artists from Giotto forward and saving a place for the rest of us. R.I.P.
Martha Strother
December 11, 2025
An unforgettable influence in the lives of so many students. Mrs. Joyner went above and beyond to get to know us and was able to make English and Literature personal to each student. So many wonderful memories being in her class. Teaching life lessons along with teaching us to love literature. 45 years later, I can still hear her saying "Lollipops are candy, people are suckers." Mrs. Joyner was an outstanding example of living a life with purpose and leaving a positive legacy. Thank you Mrs. Joyner, you will never be forgotten.
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Matt Bickhard
December 11, 2025
I am a 1980 graduate of Andover HS. In all these years, I have not forgotten Mrs. Joyner´s influence on me. She helped refine my writing which paid off immediately in college and she was very understanding of my difficulty getting `into´ Shakespeare. My condolences to the family.
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Cochran Mortuary & Crematory - Wichita1411 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214