Obituary

Naomi McElroy went to be with the Lord on May 27, 2014, at 77 years of age. She passed away after a lengthy bout of Alzheimer's disease with family at her bedside.

She was born and grew up in Newton. Naomi attended Bethel and Wheaton College, graduating from the University of Illinois with a master's degree in English Literature. Naomi taught high school English for a number of years in the Topeka and Shawnee Mission School District before moving to Liberty and opening the first Toyota dealership in the Northland.  In most recent years, Naomi had a successful career in real estate. She worked with several companies in Liberty, including ERA, Caldwell Banker and finally retiring from active sales after 15+ years with RE/MAX of Liberty.

Naomi had a love for music, having played both piano and violin. She loved animals, traveled extensively and her many hobbies included golf, swimming, writing, reading and gardening. Naomi continued to be a lifelong member of the First Mennonite Church in Newton and attended the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo.

She is survived by two brothers and a sister: David and Dee Claassen of Denver, Colo., Charles F. Claassen of Liberty, Mo., and Mary and Gary Franz of Newton; nieces and nephews include: Diane and Dan Nichols of Lakewood, Colo., Carla Schmitz of Liberty, Mo., Amy and Matt Schmidt of Newton, Audrey and Brent Blacklock of Kansas City, Mo., Ted F. and Zahrah Claassen of Phoenix, Ariz., Terry and Lara Claassen of Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Chris and Amiee Claassen of Parkville, Mo. She also had 15 grand-nieces and nephews.  Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Helen Claassen, a banking family in Newton, and her husband, Don McElroy, who died in 2008.

Memorial gifts are suggested for Kendallwood Hospice and Defenders of Wildlife. Arrangements are being made through Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home in Liberty, Mo.  A celebration of life will be held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in the Chapel, 1600 N. 291 Hwy., Liberty, Mo., on June 9, 2014, at 5 p.m. with memories and refreshments to follow.