Junette Steakley Gist

Junette Steakley Gist, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Cedarhurst

Senior Living in Wentzville, MO. She was born in Houston, Arkansas on June 30, 1932. She was

preceded in death by her parents B.F. and Mamie Steakley of Lepanto, Arkansas; her 7 siblings;

and her husband Harold Gist.

She is survived by her son Jon (Debbie) Wingo of Wentzville, MO; grandsons Jonathan (Ashley)

Wingo of Wentzville, MO and James Wingo of Kansas City, MO; and great grandsons Jace,

Jameson, Jack, and Jacob Wingo who knew her as “Grandma June.” She was loved dearly by

many, including nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Junette described herself as a “child advocate.” She was passionate about educating young

minds. She began her teaching career in a rural school teaching a combined first and second

grade room in Deering, Missouri before moving to Montana. She earned her bachelor’s degree

in Great Falls, Montana in 1958 and taught grades 4, 5, and 6; earned her Master’s degree

from Arkansas State University in 1969, and her principal’s certification from UMSL in St. Louis,

Missouri. She began her Hazelwood School district career as a reading specialist at Bonfils

Elementary then became an instructional specialist at Charbonier School in 1971. In 1976, she

became the Hazelwood School District’s first female elementary principal serving at

Charbonier School, later becoming Lawson Elementary. She left Lawson in 1980 and finished

her career retiring from Townsend Elementary as principal in 1992. She was always an active

supporter of the Hazelwood PTA Council Scholarship Run/Walk earning top fundraising awards

and taking numerous 1 st place trophies in her age category, the last one in 1988 at 56 years

old.

Junette’s passions were family, animals, gardening, and history. She was involved in her

subdivision Garden Club and volunteered as a docent at the St. Louis Kaplan-Feldman

Holocaust Museum. She was well known for her pet sitting activities as well as her love for her

songbirds. She received many hours of peace and comfort watching and feeding her birds out

on her back deck just observing the beauty of nature and reading hundreds of books about a

multitude of subjects especially history.

The stories and memories of her long and successful life will be with us for many years to

come. There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at St. Louis

Cremation 320 Jungerman Road. St. Peters, MO 63376 from 10 am-noon, followed by a

luncheon at JJ’s Restaurant 200 Fort Zumwalt Square O’Fallon MO 63366 from 12-2 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Delancey Funeral Home, Lepanto, Arkansas, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., and visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

Burial will follow service at Potter Memorial Cemetery, Lepanto.

Brother Gary Finley will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an animal shelter of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Delancey Funeral Home.