Evelyn June Wurl

Evelyn June Wurl, 92, of Sedalia, MO, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Warrensburg Manor Care Center in Warrensburg, MO. She was born on July 16, 1931, in Tazewell County, VA, the daughter of Lottie Virginia Necessary, who preceded her in death.

On January 11, 1959, in Aberdeen, MD, she was united in marriage to Hans Wurl Jr, who preceded her in death on May 5, 2006.

While growing up in Virginia, she and her brothers had their "run of the hollers" during their younger years. During her fourth grade year, family needs forced her out of school to care for four of her five younger brothers. As a young child, June worked in the tobacco fields of Virginia, earning 25 cents per week to help her mother put food on the table. June taught herself to read and became an avid reader, reading anything she could get her hands on. Growing up, she worked several other jobs, including as an inspector at Bata Shoe Factory in Bellcamp, MD. During her early 20s, she moved to the Havre de Grace and Aberdeen, MD, area, where she met the love of her life, Hans Wurl, the man with the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. They met at a carnival, and six months later, they married, and she then began the life of a military wife. During Hans' 20 years of service to the United States Army, he and June were stationed at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland; Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland; Frankfurt, Germany; Fort Lee in Virginia; Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana; and Fort Bliss in Texas.

After Hans retired from the Army, the family was en route to the state of Washington to join his family when he came across a piece of farmland in Green Ridge, Missouri. Much to June's dismay, the family moved to the farm where they grew deep roots, and she learned to love the area and call it home.

June was saved in 1957, and it changed the entire trajectory of her life. She and Hans were members of many congregations over their 46 years of marriage, which gave them life-long friendships and bonds. God answered her prayers of serving in a start-up church when she and Hans became the first family to join Grace Baptist Temple in Sedalia, MO, in 1978. June's passion and joy came from teaching Sunday School, where she loved every child who came into her classroom. Most of the children called her Aunt June or Grandma Wurl, and they loved her just as much as she loved them. Hans and June also enjoyed hosting young military couples in their home throughout the years, especially during the holidays, because they knew how hard it was to be separated from their families.

June learned to paint later in life with her dear friends, Betty Rose Hayes and Carolyn Aggeler. June also loved to spend time with her "lunch bunch" ladies on Fridays. But the greatest joy in her life probably came from spending time with her grandchildren. She always planned something exciting when the grandkids visited, like creating Western movies in the basement, making pancakes, painting rocks, fishing, or throwing rocks in the creek.

Survivors include three children, David Wurl (Ann) of Harrisonville, MO, Sandy Lewis (Terry) of Independence, MO, and Judy Long (Shawn) of Warrensburg, MO; seven grandchildren, Jessica (Timmy), Amory, Caleb (Madelyn), Matthew (Mary), John (Ashley), Tyler (Madi), and Peyton; ten great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her sister of the heart, Susie Brandl.

In addition to her husband and mother, Evelyn was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Spangler, and five brothers, Buddy Keene, Dale Keene, Luther Keene, Jimmy Keene, and Ricky Keene.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at Rea Funeral Chapel, with Pastors Gary Berry and Alvin Sipe officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

The burial will be at Highland Sacred Gardens, Sedalia, MO.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Lewis, John Lewis, Terry Lewis, Shawn Long, Tyler Long, Peyton Long, Caleb Gray, and Timmy Gibson.

Honorary bearers will be the Friday Lunch Bunch.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Baptist Church bible fund or Warrensburg Manor Care Center activity fund in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.