Joan Marie White Rothweiler

Joan Marie White Rothweiler, 86, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 10:10 p.m., Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Monroe City Manor Care Center in Monroe City, Mo.

Born in St. Charles, Mo. on Feb. 12, 1937, she and her twin sister were the third and fourth of the five daughters of Robert White and Dorothy Roberts White who, near the end of World War II, moved with their family to Palmyra where Joan would live most of her life.

She attended Palmyra schools and was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Palmyra. She first married Jim Clayton; three children were born to this marriage. She later married B.J. Rothweiler; they became the parents of one child.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband B.J. Rothweiler; her oldest son, Steve Clayton; a sister, Patricia White Bross; and a step-grandson, Garet Slavin. 

She is survived by two daughters, Laurie Clayton Gottman (Steve) and Christine Rothweiler Hudson; one son, John Clayton (Kathy); nine grandchildren, Amy Gottman Bue, Steve Gottman, Ashley Friese, Sarah English, Johnny Clayton, Josh Clayton ,Joe Clayton, Zeth Hudson and Clayton Hudson. She also leaves a daughter-in-law, Denise Silver Clayton, three sisters, her twin, Jean Miller (John), Marjorie White and Carole Rose White, three step-children, Drexel Rothweiler, Alice Rothweiler Snow and Holly Rothweiler Slavin, six step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan will be remembered as a person who was compassionate, thoughtful and generous. She was offended by unfairness and by the exclusion of others and sought to alleviate those things when she could. She respected and befriended people from all walks of life and was never afraid to speak her truth to power. 

Curiosity about the world around her was a hallmark of her personality, and she never stopped learning. Most importantly, she was grateful for and devoted to her children, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Some time ago Joan read an article in the Atlantic Monthly magazine which she felt both explained and informed her thinking on how we should live. She copied and kept it near at hand for frequent re-readings. It closes with these words: “Life is a journey full of pleasures and pains. To live it well means learning from all of it, including the mistakes, and moving forward.” 

Joan always moved forward and led others to do so as well.

Friends and family are invited to Joan’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from  4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday May 18, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel. A Prayer Service will follow the visitation at 6 p.m.

Memorials be made in remembrance of Joan to the Marion County Public Library Sub-district 1.

Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.