The communities of Republic and Springfield, Missouri, are deeply mourning the tragic loss of Josie Johns, a cherished 6th-grade student at McCulloch Elementary and Pershing Middle School, who passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Known for her vibrant spirit, work ethic, and multi-talented athletic abilities, Josie brought infectious positivity and determination to her classrooms, relay teams, and local sports fields.
Republic School District Honors Josie’s Memory
Following news of her passing, the Republic School District issued a heartfelt message to families, staff, and students across the community:
“It is with deep sadness that we write to share that Josie Johns, a student at McCulloch Elementary, passed away on July 10… Our hope is to provide information that may help children who are processing grief. We also want our school community to know that one of our families is experiencing an unimaginable loss and needs our love and support. We hold Josie’s loved ones in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
School counselors and grief support resources were made available to assist classmates, friends, and families navigating the heartbreaking loss.
A Standout Athlete with a Champion’s Heart
As a member of the Pershing Middle School Class of 2032, Josie proved herself to be a fierce competitor and a supportive teammate. During the 2026 outdoor track and field season, she showcased incredible versatility across distance running, hurdles, relays, and field events:
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High Jump Excellence: Josie captured 1st place at the Springfield Public Schools (SPS) All-City meet on April 22, 2026, setting a personal best jump of 1.30 meters (4-03.00) and ranking 4th overall on her team.
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Distance & Hurdles: Demonstrating remarkable endurance, Josie cut nearly a full minute off her 1600-meter time over a single season, reaching a personal record of 6:49.51 at the SPS Middle School B Meet. She also set personal bests in the 100-meter hurdles (22.75).
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A Dedicated Teammate: Josie was a core runner on Pershing’s relay squads, contributing to strong finishes in both the 4x200m and 4x800m relay events alongside her teammates Reagan Dickenson, Claire O’Hara, Irelynd Marler, Melinda Ellis, Emrie Hilton, Kennedy Clark, Roxy Gallagher, and Giselle Harris.
Community Love and Support
Josie’s enthusiasm, bright smile, and drive left an indelible mark on her teachers, coaches, teammates, and fellow students. Her loss is felt profoundly across both the Republic and Springfield public school communities.
As her family endures this unimaginable heartbreak, friends, neighbors, and community members continue to rally around the Johns family with love, prayers, and support. Details regarding formal memorial services will be shared by her family in the coming days.