Joy Arlette Leistritz, 83, of Middletown, formerly of Baden, Mo., passed away at 7:20 p.m. Monday May 9, 2022, at St. Andrews at New Florence Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on May 13, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church in Wellsville with Pastor Luke Wolters officiating. Myers Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Burial will be in New Bethlehem Memorial Park in St. Louis. Visitation will be on May 13 from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.
Joy was born in Baden on June 14, 1938, the daughter of Irven Paul and Hilda Anna (Finke) Reinwald. In 1967, she married Paul Elmer Leistritz who preceded her in death in 2008.
She began working at an early age, beginning with Boatman’s Bank in downtown St. Louis, and later accepted a position with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod-The Lutheran Hour, where she served as secretary to the program manager for the TV series “This is the Life”.
After retiring, Joy became very involved in raising her boys and caring for her parents.
She was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church of Baden. Joy and Paul attended both Grace Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran churches of Wellsville. After Paul died, Joy became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was active in the Trinity Ladies Aide and was the vice president. She enjoyed and was active in Bible studies at the church. She enjoyed flower gardening and she loved animals.
Joy was a member of the Daughters of the Union Veterans in St. Louis since 1991. She later joined the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2012 with the Montgomery Chapter, where she held an office as a chairman for the American Constitution. She was a member and board member of the Montgomery County Genealogical Society. She loved working with genealogy and helping others find their family tree. She also enjoyed writing poems and has written lots of poetry, which her family and friends have enjoyed reading.
Survivors include her two sons, David Paul Leistritz of Hillsboro, Ill., and Mark Brandon Leistritz of Austin, Texas; two grandsons Trace Gregory and James Paul Leistritz, and one step granddaughter, Aloura Alvarado, all of Texas.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother Orville “Bud” Arthur Reinwald.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Grace Lutheran Church. They may be sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.
Condolences may be given at myersfuneralhome.biz.
