Janet Lee Roncelli, 85, of Lexington, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on August 5, 2026.
Janet was born on April 25, 1941, in Amsterdam, Missouri, to Woodford James and Mary Williams James. Janet grew up in Higginsville, Missouri where she graduated high school in 1959.
On August 23, 1963, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Joseph Roncelli, in Lexington, Missouri. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and farming.
Janet was a devoted homemaker, farm wife, and preschool teacher at Discovery Room Preschool, where she lovingly taught young children for 27 years.
She was deeply involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren and was always willing to volunteer in her community. Janet served as a 4-H project leader and 4-H basketball coach, a Girl Scout leader, a softball coach, a Sunday school teacher, and a Bible school teacher. She found great joy in helping young people learn and grow.
Janet loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, gardening, canning, sewing, working crossword puzzles, and reading. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family, especially babysitting her grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 63 years, Joseph “Joe” Roncelli of Lexington; her daughter, Jill Oetting and husband Kyle of Lexington; her son, Joey Roncelli of Lexington; her grandchildren, Drake Oetting and wife Stefanie of Hernando, Mississippi, and Natalie Oetting of Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law Sharon James of Odessa, Missouri; brother-in-law Edwin “Skip” Wilson of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Nancy and Don Wood of Richmond, Missouri; brother-in-law Steve Roncelli of Higginsville, Missouri; and many special nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Woodford and Mary James; her brother, Donnel James; her sisters, Carmen Harwood, Lois Carol Wilson, and Kathy Suse; her brothers-in-law, Tom Lybarger, Pat Harwood, and Gary Suse; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Roncelli; and her son Joey’s fiancée, Karen Williams.
Janet’s kindness, sense of humor, generous heart, and unwavering love for her family will be remembered by all who knew her.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Presbyterian Disciples Church or Shirkey Hospice. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Friday, August 14, 2026 at the Presbyterian Disciples Church, 914 Main Street, Lexington, MO 64067. A Memorial Service will follow at the church at 3:00 pm. Arrangements have been entrusted to Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South Street, Lexington, MO 64067, 660-259-2245.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
