Wanda Hartzler

Wanda Deloris Hartzler, 78, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Wanda was born September 30, 1946, in Carthage, Missouri, to James and Birtha I. (Birchfield) Maggard. Wanda worked a variety of jobs in her lifetime, however, when she was 55 years old, she decided to become a truck driver for Martin Trucking. Wanda's favorite part of learning to drive a semitruck was when they were learning how to recover when the truck "jackknifed". When she started driving onto the lot and had picked up enough speed, she hit her brakes to "jackknife" the truck. Wanda brought the truck out of the "jackknife" just fine, parked, then headed back to the group of younger students that had been watching the event. They told Wanda she had "scared them to death" because they weren't sure she would be able to maneuver the truck because of how little she was! Wanda also enjoyed playing Bingo, quilting, crocheting, playing slots at the Casino, and riding motorcycles, especially her trike. But her favorite pastime was spending time with her family. Wanda will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Wanda is survived by her son, Brian W. Tilton of Joplin, Missouri; her two daughters, Angela D. Andrews and husband, Kevin Andrews of Joplin, Missouri and Melissa R. Sarrgent and husband, Rick Sarrgent of Duenweg, Missouri; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Wanda is preceded in death by her son, Bryant Duane Tilton in 1967; parents, James Maggard (November 27, 1992) and Birtha Maggard (January 4, 1968); two brothers, Ted Hall and Donald Maggard; and two sisters, Anna Mae Black and Dorothy Elliot. A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri. A graveside service will be held by the family at a later date at Reeds Cemetery in Reeds, Missouri. Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.