Joni Bliss

Joni Adams Bliss, 51, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born in St. Louis Nov. 22, 1956, daughter of Joan Brunson of St. Louis and George Adams, also of St. Louis. They survive. She was married Feb. 14, 1980, in Cape Girardeau to Mark Bliss, who also survives.

Joni began working at the Bulletin-Journal Newspaper while attending Southeast Missouri State University, from which she graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in mass communication.

She was a longtime managing editor of the Southeast Missourian. She joined the staff of Southeast Missouri Hospital Marketing Department in June 2000, serving as the hospital's webmaster and supervisor of web tools.

Joni received the Spirit of Southeast Award in 2007 in recognition of her can-do approach to any task, large or small, and her upbeat spirit. According to her co-workers, Joni's passion for helping others was contagious. Although she had her own health issues for the past few years, her care and concern for others overshadowed her concern for herself.

Joni was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Faith Seekers Sunday school class. She was very active in Girl Scouting, having served in numerous capacities, leading Troop 318 and co-leading Troop 145. She also worked closely with Southeast Missouri Hospital's "Adopt-A-School" partner, Central Middle School.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Minette (born Feb. 4, 1992) and Bailey Caitlin (born Dec. 8,1995), both of the home; two brothers, Mike Adams and Herb Adams of St. Louis; stepmother, Irene Adams of St. Louis; mother-in-law, Nancy Bliss of Cape Girardeau; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Emily and Steven Mellies of Cape Girardeau; stepbrothers, James Geoffrion, Michael Geoffrion, Ronald Geoffrion, and Daniel Geoffrion, all of St. Louis; stepsisters, Susan Neverve, Nanette Turanski, Kathleen Wantling, all of St. Louis; nephews, Michael and David Adams, both of St. Louis, and Andrew Mellies of Cape Girardeau; and a niece, Miranda Adams of St. Louis.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Scott Moon officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Rob Scott, Mark Fluegge, Jay Wolz, Steven Mellies, Andrew Mellies and Keith Whitworth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace United Methodist Church Foundation, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation and the Girl Scouts of Otahki Council.