Joy Faulkner 1953-2026
Joy P. Faulkner, 73, of Mayetta, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at her home.
She was born March 25, 1953, in Lawrence, the daughter of Jared and Marilee Robison Barker. Growing up, Joy had lived in the Philippines for 16 years as a missionary kid. She graduated from Seattle Christian High School in Seattle, Wash.
Joy had owned and operated a cleaning business for homes and offices. She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton.
She married Steven Paul Faulkner on Jan. 13, 1973, in Manhattan. He survives, of the home.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary York; and a brother, John Barker.
Other survivors include four sons, David Faulkner (Christine), Emporia, Seth Faulkner (Chelsea), Leawood, Justin Faulkner (Alicia), Hoyt, and Alexander Faulkner (Mia), Lake Mary, Fla.; three daughters, Johanna Lynch and Andrea Nix (Jacob), all of Holton, and Julia Faulkner (Erin), Fairfax, Vt.; two brothers, Jabe Barker, Mindanao, Philippines, and James Barker, Beloit, Wis; 21 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren on the way.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3 at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Holton. Joy will lie in state from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton, where a rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m., followed by visitation until 7 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to St. Dominic Catholic Church or Unbound, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
A mother of seven, Joy’s life was largely given to those children she loved so much and to their children who were her delight. For 20 years, she and her husband had been members of Holy Trinity Evangelical Church in Topeka, where they embarked on a detailed study of Scripture and of the early fathers of the Church, eventually, with a number of members of the congregation, joining the Roman Catholic Church while other members joined the Orthodox Church. “She loved us,” her husband said, “and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and to her home with its rocks, flowers, gardens, pets and plants.”
(PAID OBITUARY)
