Joy Faith (Thompson) Vannocker, 70, died Aug. 23, 2008, at her home in Florence.

Born Sept. 14, 1937, at Madison, she was the daughter of John and Edith (Cain) Thompson. Her mother instilled in her a strong Christian faith, which she shared with others.

She attended Madison public schools.

On March 31, 1962, she married Orville Vannocker at Madison. The couple lived on a farm northwest of Yates Center until 1970, when they moved to Florence.

She spent 27 years driving a school bus for Marion-Florence USD 408. She also worked at Johnson’s General Store for nearly 20 years, many of them as the manager. She retired in 2003.

She was a member of Florence United Methodist Church and enjoyed helping with the kids’ club and Bible study.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara Welch; and son, Raymond Alsop.

Survivors include her husband, Orville of Florence; daughter and husband, Cheri and Bruce Bazor of Herington; two sons and wives, Brad and Becky Vannocker of rural Hillsboro and Rusty and Nikki Vannocker of rural El Dorado; brother, Wayne Thompson of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted this morning (Wednesday) at Florence Christian Church with Pastor Peter Banning officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence.

A memorial fund has been established with Hospice Care of Kansas.