Mary Jean Hackleman, 83, passed away peacefully Friday August 20, 2026, in the loving embrace of her husband and children.

Born Mary Jean Hober to parents Newell and Geneva (Babbitt) Hober February 28, 1943, in Akron Colorado, then moving with her family to Diamond Missouri in March 1957 graduating from Diamond High School in 1961.

She married Tom Hackleman on March 20, 1982, combining their families.

Mary worked for 22 years at Eagle Picher Industries in Joplin, Missouri building and assembling batteries for the Department of Defense and Aerospace (NASA).

Mary moved to Bella Vista in January 1994 and found employment with the Bentonville School district as a cook at Apple Glen Elementary and was a bus driver for 15 years. After retiring, she volunteered at Meals on Wheels, eventually taking a paid position as a delivery driver and chauffeur.

Mary enjoyed square dancing, travel, thrift store shopping, plants, flowers, and game nights with friends. But her greatest joy in life was family, loving her husband, four children, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews and their families as well. She also loved her church and square dance families.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Lila Justice and Patty Sikes.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years Tom; daughters, Kimberly Ann Thompson of Denver, Colorado, Melissa (Jeremy) Coffey of Bella Vista, AR, Tammy Hackleman of Joplin, Missouri; son, Robert (Tim Cusic) of St. Louis, Missouri; and brother, Bill Hober of Denver, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Mary's name to Circle of Life Hospice or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.