Obituary for Marilyn Joan Prewett (Bilyeu)
Marilyn “Joan” Bilyeu Prewett went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 3, 2020 after a brief illness.
She was saved at a young age and baptized at High Street Baptist Church where she was a longtime member.
She was born February 8, 1935 to Jesse & Dessie Bilyeu of Dixon, Missouri, the oldest of four children.
She attended school in Dixon, Missouri and ranked high in her class. Was married to Orville Boyd Prewett December 1952 and from that union they had four children.
She enjoyed flowers and gardening and sold her strawberries and tomatoes from her garden. Joan was PTA President at Williams Elementary and volunteered for March of Dimes and taught children’s Sunday school class at High Street Baptist Church. She had a great love for all children and Camp Fire group leaders and several other volunteer groups. She owned two antiques stores in Springfield, Missouri, Apple Barrel Antiques and Collectibles which was family operated.
Joan was an avid bowler and was the Director on the Springfield Women’s Bowling Association from 1972 to 1996. She Bowled in 30 National Championship Tournaments and attended 30 WIBC National Conventions as a delegate. Bowled in 35 State Championships Tournaments and was inducted in the Springfield Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2009. She was in the Traveling Bowlettes to the National WIBC Tournament and Convention. Joan went to work for Holiday Lanes in the early 1970’s thru 1986 as Jr. Coordinator and continued on in other capacities until they closed in 2014. She was a member of the 600 club and was league secretary on several leagues for many years. She organized the senior Wednesday league for many years & was a good friend to many and encouraged a lot people to join leagues. Joan made great lifelong friends and was bowling until last year.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her children Marilyn, Daniel and Curtis and her son-in-law Larry Ruark and her grandson Cody Hackler. She is survived by her daughter Beatrice Ruark and grandchildren Lindsey Hackler and Jesse Dean Ruark, her daughter-in-law Elaina Prewett and grandchildren Jessica & Chasity Prewett, Michael (Stashia) Prewett, great grandchildren Coleton and Austyn Lipe and Brooklyn and Alexander Dinger, Trinity and Truvie Laster and Owen Prewett; her siblings Betty (Jerry) Vail, Jerry Lynn (Martin) Crider, Jesse (Glenna) Bilyeu and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 pm, Thursday, February 6th, 2020 at Glidewell Baptist Church; 5801 N. Farm Rd 141, Springfield, Missouri 65803. A Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 6th, 2020 at Glidewell Baptist Church. Private interment will be at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Willard, Missouri
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to help with final expenses.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
She was saved at a young age and baptized at High Street Baptist Church where she was a longtime member.
She was born February 8, 1935 to Jesse & Dessie Bilyeu of Dixon, Missouri, the oldest of four children.
She attended school in Dixon, Missouri and ranked high in her class. Was married to Orville Boyd Prewett December 1952 and from that union they had four children.
She enjoyed flowers and gardening and sold her strawberries and tomatoes from her garden. Joan was PTA President at Williams Elementary and volunteered for March of Dimes and taught children’s Sunday school class at High Street Baptist Church. She had a great love for all children and Camp Fire group leaders and several other volunteer groups. She owned two antiques stores in Springfield, Missouri, Apple Barrel Antiques and Collectibles which was family operated.
Joan was an avid bowler and was the Director on the Springfield Women’s Bowling Association from 1972 to 1996. She Bowled in 30 National Championship Tournaments and attended 30 WIBC National Conventions as a delegate. Bowled in 35 State Championships Tournaments and was inducted in the Springfield Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2009. She was in the Traveling Bowlettes to the National WIBC Tournament and Convention. Joan went to work for Holiday Lanes in the early 1970’s thru 1986 as Jr. Coordinator and continued on in other capacities until they closed in 2014. She was a member of the 600 club and was league secretary on several leagues for many years. She organized the senior Wednesday league for many years & was a good friend to many and encouraged a lot people to join leagues. Joan made great lifelong friends and was bowling until last year.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her children Marilyn, Daniel and Curtis and her son-in-law Larry Ruark and her grandson Cody Hackler. She is survived by her daughter Beatrice Ruark and grandchildren Lindsey Hackler and Jesse Dean Ruark, her daughter-in-law Elaina Prewett and grandchildren Jessica & Chasity Prewett, Michael (Stashia) Prewett, great grandchildren Coleton and Austyn Lipe and Brooklyn and Alexander Dinger, Trinity and Truvie Laster and Owen Prewett; her siblings Betty (Jerry) Vail, Jerry Lynn (Martin) Crider, Jesse (Glenna) Bilyeu and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 pm, Thursday, February 6th, 2020 at Glidewell Baptist Church; 5801 N. Farm Rd 141, Springfield, Missouri 65803. A Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 6th, 2020 at Glidewell Baptist Church. Private interment will be at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Willard, Missouri
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to help with final expenses.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.