John And Lottie Cianciolo

John Anthony Cianciolo, Jr., age 94, and Lottie Lou (Mulligan) Cianciolo, age 90, died at home within days of each other, just as they wanted. Dad passed away February 21, surrounded by his loving family. Mom passed away in her sleep February 25.

Dad was born November 25, 1926 to John Anthony and Pearl (DeMarea) Cianciolo, Sr., in St. Joseph Hospital, Kansas City, MO. His family soon moved to St. Joseph, MO, where he attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Christian Brothers’ High School. The Cianciolo family moved to Exeter, CA in 1943 when his parents bought a grape ranch. Dad graduated from Exeter Union High School in 1944, and had been invited to try out for the Yankees Baseball Organization, as he excelled in basketball and baseball during his high school years. Immediately following his high school graduation, he joined the US Navy instead of following his baseball dream. He went through basic training at Great Lakes, IL, followed by Aviation Arms School in Norman, OK. Dad was assigned to active duty at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and was honorably discharged in 1946 as Seaman First Class.

Mom was born to Gerald and Mamie (Clements) Mulligan on April 16, 1930 in her parents’ home in Lee’s Summit, MO. As a young girl she lived in Lone Jack, Warrensburg, and Lee’s Summit, MO. In the early 1940s the Mulligan family moved to Kansas City, MO, where Mom attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School. She followed her older sister, Millie, to St. Mary’s Academy, Leavenworth, KS. She was elected as her senior class president and graduated from high school in 1948. After high school Mom worked downtown Kansas City in the Power and Light Building as a secretary.

After Dad’s tour of duty, he returned to Missouri to work. He met Lottie Lou Mulligan at a CYO dance in 1948. They became engaged on her birthday April 16, 1950, and married on his birthday November 25, 1950, at Blessed Sacrament Church. They were blessed to celebrate 70 years of marriage November 2020.

The young couple lived in Kansas City for a few months, before they bought their first home in western Independence. As their family grew to four children, they moved a few miles to the east and had four more children. Dad swore he would never move again, but 8 ½ years ago they moved farther east to live close by family.

Even though they had eight children, Mom found time to be a Blue Bird Leader, Cub Scout Den Leader, volunteer at the children’s school, and sell World Book Encyclopedias. She was a stay-at-home Mom until her youngest child left for college. In 1985 she went to work for the Jackson County Election Board, retiring 10 years later. Then, she became the Volunteer Coordinator for the 1859 Jail, Marshall’s Home and Museum, working until her mid-80s.

Dad was a Journeyman Wireman and proud member of IBEW Local Union 124. In the late 1950s he worked for Plaza Electric and hung lights on the Plaza stores. He retired from R.F. Fisher Electric in 1988. Dad coached the boys’ baseball teams, was a Cub Scoutmaster for Troop 178 and a proud member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was a member of the Pioneer Gun Club, Sugar Creek Optimist Club, and American Legion Post 21. Dad spent his early retirement years as a docent at the 1859 Jail, Marshall’s Home and Museum giving tours. In 1998 Dad was honored as the Jackson County Historical Society’s Volunteer of the Year.

Mom loved her Catholic faith and was a member of Nativity of Mary Parish and Altar Society for more than 50 years. She was recognized for her years of service to Nativity Parish at the Bishop’s Recognition Dinner in 1980. She loved people and she never met a stranger. Mom was a member of the Red Hatters Society, and Prairie Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

They were members of The Road Runners Square Dance Club, The Jackson County Historical Society and St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Mom and Dad received The Distinguished Volunteer Award given by the Independence Heritage Commission in May 2017.

Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling during their lifetime ¬throughout the United States, England, Scotland, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and Canada. You only had to mention an adventure and they were ready to go!

Mom and Dad were predeceased by their oldest son, John Edward Cianciolo, on January 4, 2021.

Left to cherish their memory are their children Sharon (Mike) Alexander, Brenda Kay Cianciolo, Jim (Gail) Cianciolo, Brenda Marie (Joe) Cline, Mark (Lisa) Cianciolo, Greg Cianciolo, Jean (Christophe) Samyn, and Mary (John) Messer, 19 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Due to the pandemic the funeral service will be private. You may livestream the funeral Mass at 11 a.m., Friday, March 5, at www.facebook.com/stmarkparishindependencemo. A recorded video of the service will be available Saturday, March 6, at www.speakschapel.com.

You may honor our parents by donating to The Jackson County Historical Society, 112 W Lexington, Suite 120, Independence, MO, 64050, or online at www.jchs.org. Donations may also be made to the John Edward Cianciolo Memorial Scholarship Fund - Grain Valley Education Foundation managed by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 340, Independence, MO, 64057 or online at www.thcf.org.

A special thank you to Dr. Matthew Cianciolo, Mary Beth Messer, RN, and Village Hospice for such wonderful care they gave our parents. Be sure to close the garage door, lock up, and turn off the lights!