Nadine Barnard Van Hook

“I was born in Independence and that’s where I hope to die.” On July 23, 2016 that wish was fulfilled.
Born of Alta Bernice and Ralph M. Barnard, October 20. 1919, Nadine was the youngest of four daughters. She was preceded in death by Verlie Wilson Hare, Marion Alice Conyers, Velma Jean Hughes and her youngest brother, Ralph Nelson Barnard. Nadine attended UKC and graduated from Warrensburg State Teacher’s College (CMSU) where she met John A. Van Hook. They married September 7, 1940 and lived in Springfield for a short time. The couple relocated to Independence when John took a position as a football/basketball coach at Glennon High School before assuming his long-time position as the first full time director of Parks and Recreation, City of Independence. In the year of the Asian flu epidemic (1957), she answered the desperate call for substitute teachers in the Independence School District. The following Fall, she became a 2nd grade teacher assigned to Bryant Elementary School. Her basement classroom in the “old building” soon became a haven of encouragement, learning and love. Nadine retired some 20 years later. She and John (Jack) enjoyed a variety of activities from square dancing (Promanaders) in the fifties: evenings watching youth baseball at Crysler Stadium (Kiwanis League of which he was commissioner); and many social and philanthropic activities associated with the Independence Kiwanis Club. They also loved to play bridge. Nadine was a member of the Independence Junior Service League; played in the bell choir of the First Christian Church of which she was a member for over 61 years; served on many of the class of 1936, Wm Chrisman HS reunion planning committees. A decade after her husband’s death in 1993, she became a resident of Hidden Lake (Raytown) before her final move to Rosewood on the Groves Campus in 2014. Her caregivers and those around her often remarked about her wit and humor. Mrs. Van Hook, her proudest title, is survived by son, John Austin Van Hook, Jr (Chicago), daughter, Judith Standley, and son-in-law, Clyde Neal Standley; two granddaughters, Amy Jo Standley DuRall (Belton), and Rev. Jill Standley Sullins and husband, Eric (Lee’s Summit). Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Trenton Blake DuRall, and Madison Jane Sullins; one niece and two nephews; and godchild, Margaret Purdee Ragan (KC). The family would like to thank her caregivers, especially Ulysses at Rosewood, and the Groves Hospice staff for their special care and concern as she slowly and painfully made her transition into God’s loving hands. They would also like to give appreciation to Mrs. Martha Schmidt. The body will be at rest at the Speaks Suburban Funeral Home, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence. Calling and visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. with the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2016. Private internment will follow at Mound Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the scholarship fund of First Christian Church, 125 S. Pleasant, Independence, Missouri, 64050. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)