Martha Jane McWilliams, 74, Springfield, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Mercy Hospital.  She was born December 2, 1943 in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of Charles and Lucille Shaver.  Jane and her family were active members in Plattsburg, Missouri First Christian Church.

Jane attended Plattsburg, Missouri Public Schools and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1965.  She earned a Master of Education degree from Missouri State University in 1972.  Teaching and encouragement of children were her lifetime passion.  She began her teaching career in West Plains Public Schools before coming to Springfield where she taught at York Elementary and WINGS, the Springfield Gifted Program. Jane touched the lives of hundreds of children in her 30 plus years of teaching, retiring in 1996.  Jane was also an avid Missouri State Bears fan.

During her retirement years, Jane served as a docent at the Springfield Art Museum where she especially enjoyed conducting tours for the school groups.  Coupled with her love of reading, she worked tirelessly for the Friends of the Library-Springfield Greene County Library District, where she served on the Friends Board as Secretary and President.  Additionally, Jane's expertise of books and their value, authors and publishers made her invaluable to the Friends group through many years of book sales.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, two much loved brothers, Carl and Robert Shaver, and her beloved cat, McPurr.

Jane is survived by her loving husband, John W. McWilliams, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins; numerous friends and colleagues.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday March 9, 2018 in Hazelwood Cemetery under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jane's name to Friends of the Library, c/o The Library Foundation, 4653 South Campbell Avenue, Springfield, MO 65810 or the Phelps Center for the Gifted/WINGS Program through Springfield Public Schools, 934 South Kimbrough, Springfield, MO 65806.