Amy E. (Case) Altenthal

Surrounded by her family, Amy E. Altenthal, 44, of Jackson, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born July 14, 1978, in Olney, Illinois, to Eddie and Verda S. “Sue” Smith Case.

Amy’s family feels blessed that they are repeatedly told that Amy was a “shining light” and that she “changed lives” during her career in education.  Amy lived her life by this special motto: “Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day.  Find the good”.  She believed this positive mantra was key to her 22-year career in teaching special education in the Jackson R-2 School District, currently on staff at the Middle School.  Amy also led an Alpha Group at La Croix Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

To cherish her memory, Amy leaves a daughter, Teghan Altenthal, and a son, Tyler “T. J.” Altenthal of Jackson; her parents, Eddie and Sue Case of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Heather McHughs and husband Billy Jack Wilhite; two nieces, Kaitlyn (Mason) Bartlett of Ashland, Missouri, and Allyson McHughs of Jackson; maternal grandfather, Larry (Sue) Smith of Naples, Florida; her special friend, Bob Rice of Oak Ridge; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Dee Novack Smith, and paternal grandparents, Maxey and Lou Sallee Case.

To celebrate Amy’s life, the family invites friends to a casual gathering from 5 p.m. to sunset, at the Jackson Middle School, 1601 W. Independence, Jackson, MO 63755 (please enter through the doors on the south side of the building).  Brett Cheek will conduct a life celebration service at approximately 5:45 p.m.   Amy loved sunsets, so guests are invited to stay and observe the sunset in Amy’s memory.  The family encourages guests to wear blue because it was Amy’s favorite color.

Please do not send flowers, plants, or other gifts to the Middle School, as the family wishes to keep things simple.  Instead, please consider a memorial contribution for Teghan and T. J.  Contributions may be given online by visiting “Amy’s Army” Facebook page and navigating to the Go Fund Me tab.  Contributions may be made in person at the gathering on Saturday.  Contribution stations will be marked with balloon bouquets.  Please remit all donations via check payable to Heather McHughs.

Amy’s cremation was entrusted to McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Amy’s obituary page at mccobmsfuneralhome.com.