Junella Marie (VanTieghen) Reed, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior at her home on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Junella was born on September 4, 1926, in Parsons, Kansas to Joseph and Ola Mae (Snyder) VanTieghen. She graduated from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville and Coffeyville Community College. She furthered her education in Pittsburg, Kansas at the Kansas State Teachers College. Junella was an active member and former drum major of the Drum & Bugle Corp in both high school and junior college. She was a member of the Theta Sigma Upsilon and was crowned Queen at the Kanza Ball her junior year, she was selected by Phil Harris.
On May 30, 1954, she was united in marriage to Wayne Reed. Of that union a daughter, Stephanie "Steph" Reed was born. The couple later divorced in July of 1965.
Junella worked in dispatch for the Coffeyville Police Department. She went on to be the first female police officer for the Independence Police Department and was a former member of the American Federation of Police and the International Association of Women’s Police. In September of 1993, she was awarded the Presidents National Medal of Patriotism by the American Police Hall of Fame. Junella changed paths and went into the medical field where she was an established Lab & Xray Tech for many of the doctors in Coffeyville until retirement.
Junella and her daughter, Steph, had a very special life-long bond. During Steph's softball years Junella was there for every single ball game Steph had. She was a member of the PTA and assisted with field trips with Steph's Girl Scout Troop. Junella made sure that in addition to Steph learning how to drive, she was also practicing defensive driving. Making sure she was always paying attention to her surroundings. She took Steph to the shooting range to teach her how to shoot and handle guns. Junella wanted to share as much knowledge as she could with Steph. She also encouraged her to take tap and baton, making all her costumes.
Junella was the best mother a daughter could ask for. She never answered a question or set a rule with “because I said”. She and her daughter could talk about anything. She loved music, at one point when younger, she played the steel guitar. She instilled her love for music in Steph. She liked gospel, her favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art” by George Beverly Shea. She also liked classical, her favorite song was “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey Big Band Music and could listen for hours to piano instrumental music. She also instilled in Steph love, honor, integrity, compassion, honesty, faith, the importance of keeping a promise and the value of the dollar. She told Steph many times that she could achieve anything she set her mind to and anything worth having is worth working for.
Junella was a Christian and in previous years was a member of the United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. She later attended church with Steph and eventually the two would listen to and watch sermons on television or the radio. Junella was an incredible seamstress. She qualified through The Singer Company to attend a special tailoring class in Chicago that she was very proud to have attended. Steph recalled her mother could see an outfit or article of clothing then recreate it from memory at home. Junella often made her own patterns and made many articles of clothing for her and Steph throughout the years. Some of her other hobbies included knitting, being outdoors, doing yard work, riding bicycles and playing tennis with Steph even in the winter. She was a perfectionist in everything she did and very modest.
Junella is survived by her loving daughter, Stephanie "Steph" Reed of Coffeyville, Kansas, their five cats and a puppy that Junella loved dearly, along with extended relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ola Mae VanTieghen, two brothers and many beloved pets.
Following Junella's wishes, a private direct burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville under the direction of David W. Barnes Funeral Home. Junella's family and friends may sign the guest register and watch her picture tribute on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. Her daughter, Steph Reed will be present at the funeral home to greet friends.
The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to the Coffeyville Friends of Animals; these may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home 306 N. Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337.
To leave a condolence online, visit www.dwbfh.com
