Joan Stauber

Joan Stauber, 86, of Noel, Missouri passed peacefully in her home on her family farm on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Joan was born August 17, 1936 to Marion Franklin Porterfield, and Ruby (Walker) Porterfield in Red Oak, Iowa.  Joan’s early years were spent in Goldfield, Iowa on her parent’s farm.  The family moved to the Noel, Missouri area in 1951, to a farm that is still owned by the Porterfield family.

Joan attended school at the Noel School, graduating as Valedictorian of the Class of 1954.  She began studying to become a nurse after high school.  She met her husband at the Noel Methodist Church, and she and James B. Stauber were married on May 27th, 1955, and became partners on the Stauber Family farm. The farm was a dairy operation until 1970, continuing then with beef cows, hay, and crop production.    She worked side by side with her husband, sharing the work of milking and caring for the cattle, and harvesting the hay and crops grown to support the farm.

Joan was active in the Noel Methodist Church, leading Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible schools, Lay Witness Missions, and all children and youth activities for many years.  In 1983 Joan and Byrl Saunders began the Day Care ministry of the church, which continues to this day meeting the needs of local young working families with children.

Joan was selfless, always more concerned about meeting the needs of others instead of herself.  She was happiest when she was cooking for and feeding the cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family, farm helpers, and the countless friends who were always welcome guests in her home.  James and Joan sponsored a foreign exchange student in their home for a year, Tobias Heubach from Stuttgart, Germany.  Tobias graduated from McDonald County High School in 1990, and his family’s bond with Joan continued throughout her life.

Joan is survived by her husband of 67 years James B. Stauber, son Robert Stauber and wife Dawn of Noel, and son James B. Stauber III of Noel.  Joan leaves a sister, Jeannie Quinn of Sierra Vista, AZ, and brother Robert Porterfield and wife Doris of Noel, MO.

Surviving grandchildren are Denae Murphy of Noel, Cherie Raygoza and husband Ruben of Edwardsville, KS, April Denney and husband Kyle of Claremore, OK, and Martin Stauber and wife Amanda of Menomonie, WI.

Surviving great grandchildren are Treyton Murphy and fiancée Kierstan Porter of Noel, Jace Murphy of Noel, Lalynd Stauber of Noel, Xavier Raygoza of Edwardsville, KS, Taylie Stauber of Noel, Chaelynn Stauber of Noel, Jheylie Stauber of Noel, Anthony Raygoza of Edwardsville, KS, Aavynd Stauber of Noel, Rhett Denney of Claremore OK, and Kash Denney of Claremore, OK.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Marion Franklin Porterfield and Ruby Porterfield Emanuel, her Stepfather Milton Emanuel, granddaughter Haley Stauber, and great granddaughters Mercy Dawn Denney and Grace JoAnn Denney.

Services will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 11:00 am, at the Noel United Methodist Church in Noel, Missouri with Pastor Sherie Wymore and Pastor Bob Howard officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Thursday at the United Methodist church in Noel, Missouri.  Great grandsons and grandson will serve as pall bearers, with honorary pall bearers Jack Allman, Frank Meador, Robert Porterfield, Ron Saunders, and Clifford Thornton. Interment will follow the service at the Stauber Family Cemetery, on the Stauber Family Farm in Noel, MO.

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