Mary Lue Moore-Heilman

Mary Lue Moore-Heilman, 88, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away April 28, 2026. She was born July 18, 1937, in Memphis, Missouri, to Harry and Lucy (Roach) Rhodes. After the loss of her mother at a young age, she was raised by her maternal grandparents in Mound City, Missouri.

Mary was first married to Beecher Knapp, and to this union her daughter, Malinda, was born, beginning a family that would remain at the center of her life. She later lived in Nebraska and both Southern and Northern California before settling in La Harpe, Kansas in 1989, where she and her husband, Loren Moore, raised Black Angus cattle. She proudly served as mayor of La Harpe in the early 1990s. Following Loren’s passing in 1998, she later married Vern Heilman and moved to rural Galesburg, where she enjoyed country living. In 2023, she made her home in Joplin.

Mary had a deep love for music and dancing and enjoyed staying active through exercise. She found joy in mowing, sewing, and crocheting, and took special pride in caring for her home and land. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family, who were the heart of her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Malinda Knapp Stuart of Iola; granddaughters, Angie (Chris) Auckerman of Joplin, Marilee Rose of Lawrence, and Randi Stuart of Wellsville; grandson, James Emanuel Stuart of Bisbee, Arizona; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Saylor, Maryjane, and Milo; and great-great-granddaughters, Eva and Eyla.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Beecher Knapp, Loren Moore, and Vernon Heilman. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered, her music and spirit living on in the hearts of her family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO