Jill Suzanne Rardon

Jill Suzanne Rardon – age 51 of Polo, MO passed away Saturday morning, May 11th, 2019 at her home with loving family at her side after a courageous fight with a lengthy illness.  Jill was born on October 11th, 1967 the daughter of LeRoy and Sue (Vance) Kern in Richmond, MO.  She was a 1986 graduate of Polo High School.  On March 15th, 1991 she was united in marriage to Shane Rardon at the Knoxville Community Church.  Jill worked in human resources for 14 years at Variform in Kearney, MO before obtaining her bachelor’s of education degree from Missouri Western State University.  For the past 12 years she was a teacher for the Polo R-7 School District. Jill was currently serving as the middle school and freshman English teacher, as well as Track and Field coach.  She served the district passionately until this February when her health wouldn’t allow it anymore.  Jill was a member of the Knoxville Community Church, Polo Athletic Booster Club, Missouri State Teacher’s Association, and Missouri Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association (MTCCCA).  Jill was awarded the “Bob Grove Award” by the Polo R-7 School District for her dedication to the district.  She was also awarded the MTCCCA 2014 “Coach of the Year Award”.  Jill loved sports and was athletic.  She was passionate about teaching and coaching track.  Jill enjoyed writing poetry and short stories, being outside, gardening, landscaping and music.  She loved her family. Jill will be dearly missed by her family, friends, students, colleagues and community.  

Mrs. Rardon was preceded in death by: paternal grandparents, Leonard and Maude Kern; maternal grandparents, Perry and Elsie Vance; son, Dalton Rardon.  Survivors include: husband, Shane of the home; son, Tristan of Polo; parents, LeRoy and Sue Kern of Polo; sister, Jennifer (Tim) Boydston of Polo; aunt, Dorotha N. Dowell of Independence; uncle, Ron (Ethel) Vance of Tecumseh, KS; uncle, Bill (Irene) Vance of Liberty; uncle, Dave (Linda) Vance of St. Joseph; niece, Brooke Boydston of Polo; nephew, Reid Boydston of Polo; niece, Robin (Mike) Henderson of Polo; nephew, Randy Cline of Polo; niece, Morgan (Scott) Smart of Liberty; mother-in-law, Linda Hesebeck of Polo; father-in-law, Jay Rardon of Polo; sister-in-law, Sheila (Kent) Carlson of Polo; sister-in-law, Shannon (Johnny) Fitzwater of Polo. Several cousins and other extended family members also survive. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Dalton Rardon Scholarship Fund in loving memory of Jill Rardon in care of the funeral home.  Funeral services will be held 4:30 PM Thursday, May 16th, 2019 at the Polo High School Gymnasium.  The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM Wednesday evening, also at the Polo High School Gymnasium. Interment to follow the services at Prairie Ridge Cemetery west of Polo. Friends may call after 9 AM Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements entrusted to Stith Family Funeral Home in Polo. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com

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