Ethlyn Jane Hudson (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Ethlyn “Jane” (Meinecke) Hudson, 92 passed away and went to Heavenly home on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri. Jane was born in Maysville, Missouri on December 27, 1933 to Oral Franklin and Helen Lois Meinecke. She was one of eight children. When Jane was in the third grade her family moved to Cainsville, Missouri where she graduated from the Cainsville High School in May, 1951. She went on to graduate from Southwest Baptist College in the fall of 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology. While at Southwest Baptist College she was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Jane met and married the love of her life, Gineth E. Hudson on July 13, 1951. Four children were born into this family: Catherine Sue, Gineth Lee, Dennis Hardin, and Kevin LeRoy. Over the years, Jane was employed in the following positions: Jamestown Public Schools, Jamestown, Missouri as the Secretary to the Superintendent for 1 year; Dr. C. W. McCartney Medical Clinic, Bethany, Missouri as the Receptionist for 2 years; Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, Missouri as the Secretary for the Fine Arts Department for 2 years; McCraw-Koon-Kahler Medical Clinic, Bolivar, Missouri as a Medical Technologist for 5 years; Dr. Ruth Rios Medical Clinic, Bolivar, Missouri as a Medical Technologist for 1 year; Dr. Monte Kahler Medical Clinic, Bolivar, Missouri as a Medical Technologist for 11 years; and Taylor Health Center at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri as a Medical Technologist for 5 years. Jane accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 12 during revival services at the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, Missouri. She has said that this was the most important decision she ever made as it led to unmeasurable joy, peace and happiness. She served beside Gineth (a Baptist minister) as a pastor’s wife in the following roles in the churches he pastored – Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, church pianist, music director, and camp director and counselor. Jane enjoyed gardening both flower and vegetable, sewing, crocheting, music and reading. She canned and preserved much of what was grown in their garden so that it was enjoyed year round. Jane could often been seen in her recliner late into the night reading as she “just could not stand to put the story down” and then in later years when she could not sleep due to pain she would move to the recliner and read. She spent numerous hours playing her piano and organ and she especially enjoyed the family gathering and singing together around the piano .Jane is preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth (Molder) Miller; a grandson-in-law, Travis Patterson; her parents, Oral & Helen Meinecke; her stepmother, Anna Mae Meinecke; her brothers, Russel Meinecke, Bill Meinecke, and Larry Meinecke; sisters, Winnie Hoskins and Laveta Meinecke; a brother-in-law, Howard DeLong; and a niece, Bonnie DeLong and nephews, Billy DeLong and Allen Keeler. Jane is survived by her husband, Gineth; her children, Cathy (Ron); Gineth Lee (Cheryl); Dennis (Diana); Kevin (Roxy); her grandchildren, Leah Sweeney (Ben); Rebecca Beem (Charles); Heather Pelton (Sean) Rachel “Hawke” Patterson; Erica Lee (Josh); JoBeth Lynch (Andy); Katy Cochran (Clint); and grandson-in-law, Evan Miller; nine great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Elijah, Ana, Ellie, and Eddie Beem, Lizzie and Ella Lynch; Landon and Macy Cochran; two sisters, Jeri DeLong and Roberta Willis; a sister-in-law, Deleta Dinsmore; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Funeral services will commence 3:00 PM on Monday January 26, 2026, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Zoar Cemetery in Cainsville, Missouri Memorial contributions can be made to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home.
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