Jon Wayne Best

Jon Wayne Best, of Shelbina, Missouri, peacefully passed from this life into the presence of Jesus on February 5, 2026, at the age of 80, surrounded by his loving family.

Jon was born on August 9, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Everett Rothwell Best and Gertrude Emma (Mayfield) Best. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Juanita Sue Blackburn, on December 6, 1963, in Liberty, Missouri. Together they shared 62 years of love and devotion.

Jon was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Sue, who survives him at their home. He was a loving father to his daughters, Jennifer Chandler and Jonna Adams (Travis), and a proud father to his son, Pablo Vargas (Vero) of Chile.

Though Jon grew up as an only child, he was richly blessed through marriage with a large and cherished Blackburn family. He treasured the many years of family gatherings and memories made with his brothers- and sisters-in-law. Surviving him are his dear brother-in-law, Luther Blackburn (Norma), and his treasured sister-in-law, whom he loved to tease, Charlene Ricker.

Jon was adopted at three months of age from Eastside Maternity Hospital. In recent years, with new resources available, he located his birth family and was delighted to discover biological siblings. He deeply cherished meeting them and forming meaningful relationships. Surviving Jon are his sisters, Diane Erickson (Loren) and Karen Nelson (Chuck), and his brother, Dale Nummi (Sharon).

One of Jon's greatest joys in life was time spent with his grandchildren. Whether clapping for cheerleaders or cheering from the stands at basketball games, he was always present and proud. He is survived by his adored grandchildren: Kailee Noland (Josh), Hope Chandler, Hadley Hogsett (Jamison), and Lainie Chandler; and step-grandsons Justin Adams (Drew) and JJ Adams. Known lovingly as Baba, Jon was also a proud great-grandfather to Ada, Redding, and Townes Noland, and Camdyn and Creedyn Adams.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his birth mother, Mabel (Williams) Nummi.

Jon and Sue began their life together in Liberty, Missouri, where Jon worked his way up to Vice President of National Commercial Bank. In 1977, they took a leap of faith and moved their family to Shelbina, where Jon became the first President of Community State Bank. That bank became his professional home for 48 years, and he created an atmosphere of warmth and trust for both customers and employees.

Jon was a dedicated and respected member of the Shelbina community. He served through the Shelbina Church of Christ, Shelbina Lion's Club, and the Shelbina Library Board, including involvement in the library's new addition. A lifelong businessman, Jon co-built the local motel and owned several rental properties, taking pride in serving as his own maintenance man.

Jon was kind, steady, and strong, always placing others before himself. He loved ornery practical jokes, collected Chevrolet memorabilia, and enjoyed the outdoors-especially time spent on his mower and tractors. Above all else, Jon was a devoted Christian whose faith guided every aspect of his life. He loved Jesus deeply and lived out that love through humility, integrity, and service to others. His trust in God gave him strength in both joy and hardship, and his unwavering faith remained steadfast to his final days. Jon's greatest hope and confidence was found in his Savior, and he leaves behind a legacy of faith that will continue to live on through his family and all who knew him.

Funeral service will be held at 10 am on Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Shelbina United Methodist Church in Shelbina, MO, followed by the burial at the Shelbina Cemetery in Shelbina, MO. The visitation will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 5-7 pm at the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home in Shelbina.

Memorials may be made to Neighbors Helping Neighbors or Shelby County Senior Center.