A recording of Neva's Celebration of Life can be found on this page, following her obituary.

Neva Jean was born on January 20, 1927, in Narka, Kansas, the daughter of John W. & Ella (Saip) McChesney. Neva attended Narka schools, graduating in 1944. Following high school, she attended Fairbury Junior College, obtaining her Teacher’s Certificate. Later, Neva returned to Fairbury Junior College, and then attended Emporia State University, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree.

Neva was married to Warren E. Joy on October 6, 1946, in Narka, and to this union three children were born, Vivian, Jonny & Deb. They lived in Narka, and Neva worked as a school teacher at Ida country school, and then Munden Grade School and Cuba (later Hillcrest) Grade School.

Warren passed away on March 12, 1981, and Neva later remarried Eldon “Don” Hermes on June 26, 1982. Don passed away on May 7, 2007. Neva passed away on December 2, 2020, in Clyde, Kansas, at the age of 93 years, 10 months and 12 days, with her daughters at her side.

Neva is preceded in death by her parents John & Ella, husband Warren in 1981, husband Don in 2007, son Jonny in 2012, and grandson Bradley Vest in 1985. Neva is also preceded in death by her brother Chester McChesney and his wife Nellie, brother Warren McChesney and his wife Mary, and brother Jim McChesney.

Neva will be forever remembered by her daughters, Deb Knox and husband Pat of Clyde, and Vivian Dirks of Meade, Kansas; grandchildren, Angie and husband Jeff Howard; Lisa and husband Cory DeLong; Christopher Knox; Matthew Knox and wife Kelsey; Tyson Knox and wife Colleen; Jason Joy and wife Angie; Jonathan “Jay” Joy and wife Shanna; Jamie Joy; Jennifer Joy; and Jana Clark. Neva is also survived by Eldon’s children, Russell James Hermes and his wife Jocelyn of Ohio, Sharon Joy Wilson and her husband Richard of Arizona, and Maridelle Anne Mehling and her husband John of New York. Neva is also survived by her 24 Great Grandchildren and two Great Great Grandchildren; brother Jack McChesney and wife Eleanor, sister-in-law Joanne McChesney and many nieces, nephews, communities of friends, and many school children she taught over the years.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 29th, 2021, at 10:00 am, at the Presbyterian Church in Narka, with committal services following at Maple Grove Cemetery, rural Narka. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Meadowlark Hospice, and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home of Belleville assisted Neva’s family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com