Nancy Jane Polette, 95, of St. Charles died Sept. 11, 2025, at Fair Winds-River’s Edge retirement community in St. Charles. Ms. Polette was a prolific author of books for educators, a noted speaker and literacy consultant throughout the U.S. and Canada and an instructor at Lindenwood University. A lifelong, avid reader and autodidactic learner, she was also a member of First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ in Festus. In addition to being a former elementary teacher and director of media services and curriculum and gifted programs in St. Louis, she was the director of the Laboratory School for children at Lindenwood University. She was also the creator of Book Lures, Inc., a company that produced more than 200 titles of resource books for teachers. Some of the many books she authored are The Spy with the Wooden Leg, The Little Old Woman and the Hungry Cat, Angels in Fatigues and The Hole by the Apple Tree. Born May 18, 1930, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Alice (Colvin) McCaleb Vinyard.
Private family services were held Sept. 15. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City, officiated by Pastor Aaron Watkins. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ in Festus. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.