Sara "Sally" Wantuck
Beloved Wife, Mother, and Grandmother
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sally Wantuck, age 81, on Thursday, January 30, 2025. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Sally was the beloved wife of Dr. Donald K. Wantuck and the devoted mother to Elsa Battaglia, Joseph (Kerry) Wantuck, and Molly (Craig) Keathley. She was a proud grandmother to Megan Keathley, Samuel Battaglia, Peter Wantuck, and Nora Wantuck.

She was born Sara Elizabeth Hoff on August 24,1943 in Valparaiso, IN, the daughter of the late Dale and Elizabeth Jane (Gettinger) Hoff.  She grew up in a large family with many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and is survived by her 5 siblings, Carey Stallings, Jon (Donna) Hoff, Kristin (Wayne) Buck, Jesse (Karen) Hoff, and Glen (Diana) Hoff as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Sally grew up in Evansville, IN and graduated from Bosse High School in 1961. After working to put herself through college she graduated from The University of Evansville with a degree in elementary education. Upon graduation she moved to New York City. She flew with TWA airlines for over three years. Her striking beauty attracted attention and resulted in appearances in numerous commercial materials. Sally eventually moved to Kansas City, MO where she was promoted to TWA management as an instructor, training future airline hostesses. It was in Kansas City where she met and married Don, her husband of nearly 54 years. They moved to Springfield, MO shortly after marrying to start their family.

Motherhood gave Sally immense joy. Long before the term "soccer mom" became popular, she epitomized it, encouraging her children to be involved in a wide range of activities. She served as a den mother to cub scouts and room mother for many years at her children's school. Her support and encouragement were unwavering.

Sally was determined to inspire her children to excel academically and always strive for their best. Drawing on her background in elementary education and her passion for travel, she organized a family trip to China, Japan, and Hong Kong in 1986. Her goal was to broaden her children's horizons and give them a taste of the wider world. This journey became a cherished memory that they will hold dear forever.

She delighted in keeping multiple gardens and sharing this hobby with her neighborhood friends. Her green thumb brought forth blooms of roses, sunflowers, petunias, hydrangeas, marigolds, geraniums and strawberries as well as many vegetables.

A voracious reader, it was common to find Sally immersed in several books across different genres simultaneously. She had a particular fondness for mysteries, biographies, and fiction, and her love for reading was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Sally's legacy of love and dedication to family will be deeply missed. She was an extraordinary woman whose memory will be cherished forever.

Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 pm on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home located at 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield, Missouri 65804. A memorial service will be held at 9:00 am on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 also at Gorman-Scharpf. Given her love of flowers, Sally often joked that "in lieu of donations, please send flowers."  Alternatively, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Junior League or a charity close to your heart.