JoAnn Marie (Korhonen) Howes, passed peacefully at home with all of her children by her side on Thursday, May 19, 2022.
JoAnn was born on Christmas Day 1935 in Grayling, Michigan to Walter and Leelah (Gierke) Korhonen. She grew up in Grayling and graduated in 1954 from Grayling High School. JoAnn married the love of her life, David Pendry Howes, on August 21, 1954 after they met camping on the banks of the Au Sable River in Grayling. She resided in Battle Creek at her home in Pennfield.
JoAnn is remembered as a loving, thoughtful and caring wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend. She participated with her church and community, and served as board member of The Charitable Union and the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Battle Creek. She loved spending time up north staying at the cabin or with her brother or sister, sitting around the campfire, going to concerts, camping and traveling, talking and listening for hours, all with family and dear friends.
Surviving are 4 children; 3 daughters in Grayling, Sue Seifert, Christiane (Rick Brown) Howes, Becky (Dennis) Robinson, and a son David Howes in Battle Creek; a sister Carol Kolka in Grayling, and a brother, Larry (Kristine) Korhonen; a brother in-law, Norman Haynes; three grandchildren, Gwen (Joel Truitt) Hills, Renee (Trent) Larm, Sarah (William Ryan) Robinson; three great-grand-children, Lena and Keira Larm, Cooper Ryan and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a brother, Gerald Korhonen; a sister in-law, Susan Haynes; a son in-law, Joseph Seifert; and a nephew, Mark Kolka.
Respecting JoAnn's wishes, no formal funeral services will be held. Burial will take place at a later date at Elmwood Cemetery in Grayling, Michigan.
Memorial Contributions in JoAnn's memory may be made to The Charitable Union, 85 Calhoun Street, Battle Creek, MI 49017; the Battle Creek Symphony, PO Box 1613, Battle Creek, MI 49016; or AuSable Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 384, Grayling, MI 49738. Personal messages or stories for the family may be placed in the Memory Book at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.