Jo Ann Wile

Jo Ann Wile, 87, of N. Kansas City, Missouri passed away on December 11, 2021 after experiencing post surgical complications.

Jo Ann was born on November 16, 1934 in Pratt, Kansas the only child of Forrest and Buelah McManaman. She was a strong, fiery red head who was the apple of her parents eyes. In her early years she studied dance accumulating numerousawards and accolades, eventually performing professionally.Considering her love of dance it is no surprise that she met her husband Phil at a dance, who reportedly stated at the time “There is the woman I am going to marry” And so they did, moving into a 14’ trailer, traveling with Phil’s job at Western Electric Company.

Next came Tonya, then Tracie. JoAnn took great pride in sewing matching clothes for the girls and even sometimes including a dress for herself and a shirt for Phil. As the girls neared school age the trailer was parked and house plans were started. Their first house in Wichita was subjected to many diy improvements including a rock garden constructed of rockspersonally collected from all over the country, the car always had a small shovel and gloves in the trunk just in case. Among the rocks were several succulents illegally harvested during their many trips to California to visit her beloved father. Jo Ann was always very involved in her girls’ educations being an active PTA member and organizing, creating and designing an annual haunted house. JoAnn spent most winter months working as a tax preparer, eventually owning her own businesswhen they moved to Kansas City after Phil was transfered in 1971.

Once Phil retired he joined the Ararat Shrine Temple opening up a new cache of fun and friends. In 1992 her dear husband suddenly passed away, just 6 months before a much anticipated family vacation to Napa Valley. She made everyone laugh at his funeral when she claimed he was just trying to avoid the trip.

Her 65th birthday in 1999 was made extra special by the birth of her first and only granddaughter who arrived with just minutes to spare and has been late for everything ever since.JoAnn always tried to make it to California for their shared birthday celebration.

Eventually she sold the house in Kansas City and purged a lifetime of collected excess baggage to move to an apartment in a senior living complex in North Kansas City where she made many dear friends and loved being on the board of the North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. She enjoyed traveling and most of all spending time with her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Phillip G. Wile. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her daughters, Tonya Cayton (Scotty) and Tracie Hulson(John); granddaughter Danielle Hulson; and long time companion John Kinker.

If you feel moved to make a monetary donation in her honor, the Kansas City Hospice House was a comfort to JoAnn her family in her final days. www.kchospice.org/donations