Mary Heird

Mary Jane Heird (Saxton) fondly known as Janie, passed away on August 20, 2024, at the age of 72, in Mulvane, KS. Born in Wichita, KS, she was the fourth child to Floyd and Emma (Steelman) Saxton.

Janie was born-again christian, mother, grandmother, and loving wife (married to Billy Heird, for 48 years until his death on May 7, 2016). She was a stay-at-home-mom for years. Later, as a career, she invested her time and talents working at the Mulvane Munson Primary School. She started in 1978 as a part-time custodian and ended her career as a Title l paraprofessional. She loved reading to students who she had the pleasure of working with. She also taught Sunday School for 25+ years. She loved to bowl, play softball, volleyball, and watch her children play sports. Janie was the organizer of their family reunions for 20+ years.

Janie leaves behind two children, Sheryl (Guy) Julius, Billy “Jamie” (Valerie), both of Mulvane; five grand-children, Natalie Townson, Brady (Alexis) Townson, Caleb, Emma, and Aaron Heird; siblings, Beverly (Jim) Hatfield, Harrison, AR, Shirley (Ralph) Arnold, Wichita, and Tom Saxton of Goddard; many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 10:30 am, at One Church, 201 N. Derby Ave, Derby, KS.

Contributions in memory of Janie can be made (by mail or drop-off0 to the Munson Primary School Library Fund, 1007 Westview Dr, Mulvane, KS, 67110. Janie’s legacy of love, caring for others, and a heart for children and reading will continue to inspire all who knew her.