Nina Clithero, 97, of Vandalia, Missouri, passed away peacefully at 11:16 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Baptist Home of Vandalia.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Waters Funeral Home with Reverend Linda Potter officiating. Burial will follow at Laddonia Cemetery.

Visitation celebrating Nina's life will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home.

Nina was born on August 27, 1928, in Middletown, Missouri, the daughter of Herman and Cora (Belts) Kniepfel.

In January 1949, she married Johnnie Barber. She later married Louis Benny Clithero on August 1, 1981, on the family farm. Johnnie preceded her in death in August 2014, and Benny preceded her in death on August 6, 2019.

Nina is survived by her children: Pat Hulse (Jim) of Linn, Missouri; David Clithero (Ellen) of Columbia, Missouri; Darin Clithero of Vandalia, Missouri; Lori Dorman of Columbia, Missouri; and Lorna Warren of Higginsville, Missouri. She also leaves behind grandchildren Ashley, Kayla, Tony, Curtis, Brent, Nathan, Lindsey, Caleb, Dylan, Joshua, Joseph, Casey, Shawn, and Scott; twenty-five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two nieces and three nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Nina was preceded in death by her son, Robert Barber, brothers, Estel, Clifford and Donald Kniepfel, and her grandson, Tim Barber.

Nina graduated from Farber High School in 1946. She faithfully served the Van-Far School District for 45 years as secretary to the principal, where she became a mentor and friend to countless students and staff members throughout the years.

She treasured the simple life on the farm. Nina loved gardening, horses, and raising Black Angus cattle. One of her greatest joys was taking drives around the farm and watching the fruits of her labor grow and flourish. Family gatherings were often centered around Nina's home-cooked meals, followed by lively and competitive games of Pitch.

Above all else, family was the center of Nina's life. She cherished every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured for generations.

Pallbearers will be Brent Barber, Jake Robertson, Sam Barber, Nathan Rock, Joseph Clithero, and Josh Davis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kayla Hulse, Ashley Robertson, Casey Warren, and Lindsey O'Rourke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Home of Vandalia. Checks may be made payable to the Louis and Nina Clithero Trust in care of Waters Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be shared with the family, and a video tribute viewed at www.watersfuneral.com