Joanne Whisenant

Nov. 26, 1953 - May 30, 2011

DOWAGIAC - Joanne Whisenant, 57, of Dowagiac, MI, began life on November 26, 1953, in Blytheville, AR, the daughter of Luther and Lola (Holland) Ross. She was a graduate of Southwestern Michigan College. Joanne was united in marriage to John Whisenant on September 26, 1969, in Niles. She was a homemaker who loved spending time with her family and especially her granddaughter. She enjoyed going shopping, cooking big family meals, and playing trivia on her computer. Her loving family includes her husband, John Whisenant of Dowagiac; daughter, Joanna (Robert) Craig of Edwardsburg; son, John Whisenant Jr. of Saint Joseph; granddaughter, Allysa Craig of Edwardsburg; sisters, Leigh (Jimmy) Wheeler of Gary, IN, Ann Ross of Alabama, Evelyn (Louis) Bauham of Edwardsburg, Linda Stepp and Polly Sadler of LaGrange, KY, Diane (John) Marshall of Jeffersontown, KY; a brother, John W. (Annie Pearl) Ross of Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. Joanne passed away on Monday, May 30, 2011, at her daughter's home in Edwardsburg. She was preceded in death by her parents. Her family will gather with friends on Friday from 5-8 p.m. in the Yazel & Clark Chapel, where her funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m., led by Pastor James Tippen. She will be laid to rest in South Wayne Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Cass County Cancer Services.

Published in South Bend Tribune on June 1, 2011