Janet Sears, 65, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at her home.
She was born to William Edwin Emerson and Carol Jean Emerson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on August 17, 1959. She spent much of her childhood in Michigan before moving to Kansas, where, at the age of 16, she met Tom Sears. Shortly after, the two began building a family together and went on to raise three children—Patrick, Amanda, and Joshua.
Janet was a go-with-the-flow kind of person. Although she could be stubborn, she never needed to be the one making the decisions about where to go or what to do, but she was always present, always willing to be along for the ride. She found joy in simply being with others and loved being out in the world, whether it was attending an event, sitting on a porch visiting, or just being surrounded by family and friends.
Her greatest happiness came from her family. She deeply loved her children and, even more so, her grandchildren, who brought her endless pride and joy.
After Tom’s passing in 2020, Janet found a new passion in camping and rock hunting and travel. She loved planning trips to Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois, setting out to explore riverbanks, lake shores, and trails.
She is survived 3 children, Patrick Sears (LaDonna), Independence, Mo., Amanda Garcia (Rogelio), Windsor, Mo., and Joshua Sears (Tera), Pleasant Hill, Mo.; 8 grandchildren Zack, Caylie, Alyssa, Raul, Ivan, Emma, Tenley, and Oliver; 2 great-grandchildren on the way; her father, Bill Emerson, Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, David Emerson (Christie), Shawnee, Kansas; and many extended Sears family members. In addition to her husband Tom, she was preceded in death by her mother; a brother, Steven Emerson; mother-in-law, Francis Sears; and a sister-in-law, Charissa McGuire.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the VFW in Warrensburg, Mo. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor, Mo. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.
