Janet Jean Piland, age 83, Branson, Missouri

Janet Jean Piland  

April 30, 1940 – January 2, 2024 

She was born in Sac City on April 30, 1940 to Howard and Lula McKeen.

Jan was a true Lady - a beautiful, compassionate, and genuine woman of exceptional taste. She attended school in Lake View, graduating from Lake View high-school in 1958. Jan was an athlete who loved swimming, basketball, and ice skating, and a musician who sang and played clarinet. She later received her bachelor’s degree from Stirling College in Wentzville, MO.   

Jan worked successfully for the local telephone company, Contel, which later merged with GTE and then Verizon. After teaching herself the art of photography, she and her late husband Dick performed countless weddings at a small log church in Branson. Jan was often heard saying, “He hitches ‘em and I shoot ‘em.” 

After retirement, Jan became more deeply involved with church. Her church family was as important to her as her faith, which was greatly inspired by her mother Lula. She loved singing in the choir, playing bells, and working in the church thrift shop. 

In 2016, Jan met Ed Piland, whom she called the love of her life. She said their marriage and relationship was the happiest, most loving and caring experience of her life. They were inseparable and cherished each other every day. 

In Jan’s eyes, no one was a stranger, and everyone was welcomed with kindness and selflessness. Jan ‘adopted’ many of her children’s friends over the years and was loved by many of their children. Anyone who ever met Jan or was a part of her life carries with them a very special piece of a ‘One of a Kind’ Lady.   

She leaves her undying love to her children Kary Obman, Kelly (Tom) Pimley, Kami Obman, Julie (Ron) Cronk, and Jane (John) Abbey; her grandchildren Jacque (Ryan) Renze, Jodi Obman, Kaitlyn Pimley, Jennifer Abbey, Kelsy Bridgford, Diane, Cathy, Andrew, Tanner, and Lynn Cronk; and her great grandchildren Tyler & Jax Renze and Adeline & Arianna Cronk. She also leaves love and adoration for her sister, Shirley Weikle, her many nieces and nephews, and many, many friends. Jan was preceded in death by her father and mother, Howard McKeen and Lula Stock; her brother Russell; and her husbands, Donald (Don) Obman and Richard (Dick) Viney.  

A celebration of life will be held at the Branson Methodist Church, 1208 West Country Blvd 76, on Saturday January 6, 2024. Visitation will be at 10:00 am with a celebration service at 11:00 am.  Those who cannot attend will be able to view the service on the church’s Facebook page, BransonUMC. In lieu of flowers and cards, the family asks that you make a memorial donation to the Branson United Methodist Church. 

Arrangements are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.

Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory

1638 East State Highway 76

Branson, Missouri 65616

Telephone – 417-334-3670

Fax – 417-336-3670