In Memory
Joan Aleta Straw
May 19, 1926 - Oct. 22, 2010
NILES - Joan A. Straw, age 84 years, of Lawndale Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died at 7:20 P.M. Friday, October 22, 2010, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, following a brief illness.
She was born on May 19, 1926, in South Bend, Indiana, to Lester M. and Mildred M. (Babcock) Smith, and had graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1944. She trained at the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago, majoring in Vocal Performance, and had lived in Niles since 1951. She was employed in the offices of the Simplicity Pattern Company for 22 years, retiring in 1992. Joan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, and of the Preceptor Beta Chi Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was an active volunteer at church and at the Senior Center. She enjoyed playing bridge and reading fiction. Her greatest interest was her family. She enjoyed cooking for them, and regularly attended the various activities of her grandchildren, providing their groups and teams with treats, often earning the title of "team grandma."
On October 6, 1951, in Mishawaka, Indiana, she married William C. Straw, who preceded her in death on August 12, 1999. She was also preceded in death by a brother, and two sisters, Merrill Smith, Henrietta Hess and Melbourne Smith. Surviving family includes four daughters, Andrea (& Rick) Bischof of Niles, Linda (& Larry) Johnson of Buchanan, Kathleen (& Michael) Shelton and Jule (& Danny) Udell, both of Niles; grandchildren, Cory (& Karla), Andy (& Mandy), Jamie, Lindsey (& Aaron), Adam, Brandon (& Jeni), Josh (& Willow), Nick, Michael, Mackenzie, Kelly (& Corey), Sarah (& Jim), Chelsea, Casey, Noah and Cody; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Colton, Will, Adeline, Lily, Logan, Bryce, Kyleigh, Alyssa, Audry, Lexy, Jessica, Josh and Timmy; goddaughter and niece, Cheryl Beck Best.
The funeral service for Joan A. Straw will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence officiating, assisted by Mr. Ray Fulbright. Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday in the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Joan Straw may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church or to the Brandywine Public School Athletic Department.
Published in South Bend Tribune on October 24, 2010.
11/21/2021 DEC
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