June Wiley, Keosauqua native June Wiley died on December 21, 2023, at age 94 after a brief illness.
The middle child of three girls born to Bruce Davis and Delores (Barker) Davis, June grew up on a farm just north of Keosauqua, then in places her father was assigned to as a park ranger, and then finally in town.
Her memoir, A Tale of Three Sisters, describes a hard childhood, lived in poverty and shadowed by her mother’s serious illness and early death, but also rich in family relationships and friendships. Married in 1947 to Jim Wiley, June lived first in Keosauqua, then in Green City, Missouri, where they raised their three children. Their first daughter, Wendee, died in childhood.
Tatha, born in 1950, thrived in school and later went on to earn a doctorate in theology, teaching and writing award-winning works in theology and biblical studies. June and Jim’s son, C.J., born in 1964, became a world champion billiards player, business owner, and visionary developer of the profession and the game.
June served as Green City’s town clerk for many years. But after her children left home, she sold the house and went on the road in 1982. Proudly independent and always open to new experiences, she travelled west, working in Albuquerque as a bookkeeper and property manager.
June became an avid walker and hiker, a keen visitor to the national parks, and a skilled camper, making many friends along the way. Accompanied by her dog Akeeta, she also spent several summers in St. Paul, staying with Tatha and her family.
After working in Washington, D.C., for 18 months, June moved west again, working at the Grand Canyon for three years, then moving to Dallas to manage her son’s C.J.’s Billiard Palace, helping him make it the largest pool hall in Texas and popular with serious pool players.
Returning to Keosauqua 16 years ago, June rejoined several of her former friends from childhood and early adulthood. For several years she penned a column of local news for the Van Buren County Register, chronicling Keosauquans’ travels, reunions, marriages, and family events.
June took a keen interest in local history, attending meetings of the Van Buren County Historical Society and knowledgeably guiding visitors around the area’s many homes and historical sites, and proudly showing off the beauties of the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.
An avid reader and dedicated card player, June had a gift for making friends and keeping them. “She was always someone easily liked,” said Dick Perkins, son of neighbour Betty Perkins. “She was amazingly bright and fun to be with.” In her last years, June was sustained by close friends, generous neighbours, and loving relatives.
If you have a memory or reflection of June and would like to share that here, please leave your note below or send to RonSnow@Loofbourrow.me.
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June’s Loofbourrow Ties
June was the daughter of Joe & Ida Barker, the niece of John & Mollie Loofbourrow. Mollie and Joe were sister and brother – their parents were James Cellars Barker (1844-1924) and Jane A. Agnew (1848-1902). This relationship means June was a cousin to the decendants of John & Mollie Loofbourrow.
June provided significantly to Margie Kinnaman’s work on our family history and they were cousins and became close friends.
Ron Snow
