Nova Jean Blisard, 89

Graveside funeral services for Nova Jean Melton Loftis Blisard, 89, of Mountain Grove, formerly of Gainesville, were held Nov. 21, 2025, in the Sims Cemetery, Gainesville.

She died on Nov. 18. She was born Jan. 25, 1936, at Romance, the daughter of Herman Ralph and Dalta Ophelia (Naugle) Melton.

On Sept. 5, 1953, she married Lowell R. Loftis, who preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 1988. She then married Norman D. Blisard on June 9, 1989. He preceded her in death on March 7, 2005.

She was a member of the Church of Christ, having been baptized at the age of 17. She was a real estate broker and owner of Old Mill Real Estate in Gainesville until her retirement in October 2011. She obtained a real estate broker’s license in 1965 and worked in real estate part-time while working at other jobs until 1989. She also worked at the Ozark County Times for 13 years and the Ozark County ASC office for six years before going back into real estate in 2000. She owned and operated her own office from 2004 until her retirement at age 75. She loved nature, traveling, photography, jigsaw puzzles and flowers.

Her survivors include her sister’s children: Jan Groenemann of St Charles, Robert Hawkins and wife Sandra of Mountain Grove, Newton R. “Bud” Hawkins and wife Pam of Bruner, Lisa Hawkins and husband Dennis of Noble, Layne Nance of Romance, and Loren Nance of Ava; and several other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond Loftis and Norman Blisard; and sisters, Norma Lee Hawkins and Nola Sue Nance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center in Gainesville, Ronald McDonald House or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.