Joyce Siniard

Joyce Elaine (Park) Siniard, age 76, died January 14, 2026, in Wellington, KS, after a lengthy battle with dementia.  Joyce was born in Springfield, MO, on November 28, 1949, to Gene and Bonnie Park.  After graduating high school in Springfield, Joyce attended Central Christian College in McPherson, KS, then returned to Springfield to complete her degree in Home Economics at Southwest Missouri State University. 

Joyce’s first job led her to Johnson, KS, where she worked for several years as the K-State Extension County Home Economist.  It was here that she met and married Thomas “Tom” Siniard, two days after an epic blizzard on January 28, 1973.  Tom and Joyce made their home in Johnson for the next 31 years.  

Joyce eventually left the Extension Service to return to school at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK, to get her teaching degree.  She received her Master’s in Special Education at Fort Hays State University during the summers. Joyce was offered a position working for High Plains Co-op as a Gifted Facilitator, traveling as many as 700 miles a week around southwest Kansas, providing services for students.  When she moved on from that job, she began teaching Family and Consumer Sciences at Syracuse, and later at Kingman.  All throughout her teaching career, Joyce served as an assistant and then head coach of scholars bowl teams in the schools where she worked, as well as a coaching representative for that group to the Kansas State High School Activities Association.  Joyce’s passion for this activity lives on through her daughter, who is also a coach.  

Tom and Joyce retired to McPherson, KS in 2011 to be caregivers for her parents.  While there, Joyce was involved in the Cedars Quilt Guild and could often be found leading activities and games at the Cedars. She was also in the rotation for making cookies for Sunday morning coffee at McPherson Free Methodist Church, helping with Bible school, and occasionally taking a turn in the nursery.  In 2021, Joyce and Tom moved to Wellington to be closer to their daughter who became their caregiver.

Joyce is survived by her children Tim (Misty) Siniard of Amarillo, TX, and Sarah (David) House of Wellington, KS; grandsons Tyler and Emmett and granddaughter Talina; siblings Ronald (Kathy) Park and Michael (Georgeann) Park; and numerous nephews and nieces.  She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, and grandson Ryan Siniard-Foster.

In keeping with Joyce’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no memorial service at this time.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either memorial listed below, both which were close to Joyce’s heart:  Neva Helsel Memorial Scholarship in care of Central Christian College:  1200 South Main Street, McPherson, KS 67460 or the Kansas Association of Scholars Bowl Coaches, Attn: Adam Robb, 526 Cole Street, Moundridge, KS 67107.