Olive Joanne Meyer

Olive “Joanne” Meyer, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, Berrien Center, MI. A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Pastor Gordon Barry officiating. Friends may visit Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory of “Joanne” on-line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Our mother has passed peacefully from this life and is moving on to her life in heaven. She was a loving, kind, and funny person who always shared a smile and laughter with you. She was also an awesome grandma spoiling her grandkids rotten. Mom made friends wherever she was, even as strokes and then dementia stole her away it could not rob her of that smile and caring nature for everyone from family, friends, to even the medical staff. “Joanne” was born on September 29, 1936 in Elkhart, IN to Ralph and Marion (Meyer) Fischer. She graduated from Elkhart High School in 1954. On June 4, 1955, she married Ronald Meyer in Elkhart, IN. She worked as an inventory clerk at Heath Company in St. Joseph. Later she worked at Ream Steckbeck a paint and home decorating center in Fort Wayne, IN. She loved helping people with their decorating decisions. In her spare time she enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining family and friends. Of course most important was spoiling her grandkids. Olive “Joanne” is survived by her children, Debra (Thomas) Foley of St. Joseph, MI, Kathleen (Michael) Smith of St. Joseph, Scott (Kellie) Meyer of Stevensville, and Terry Meyer of Carmel, IN; five grandchildren Danielle, Brooks, Sydney, Trevor, and Rebecca; siblings Sharon (Dan) Hyska of Huntington Beach, CA, Dianna (David) Perham of Houston, TX, Vicky (Tom) Pickley of Decatur, IL, Thomas (Peg) Fischer of Middlebury, IN and Mary (Dan) Gaboury of South Bend IN; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. “Joanne” was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ronald Meyer, and brother in-law Dan Hyska.