WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Joanne Maxine Morhart, age 86, of Sturgis, and formerly of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday morning Feb. 17, 2013, at The Villa at Thurston Woods Village.
She was born Aug. 28, 1926, in Springfield, Ill., a daughter of the late Paul and Norma (Huber) Blacker.
Joanne graduated from high school in 1944 and joined the Army Cadet Nursing Corps, then completed her registered nursing degree at Toledo Hospital.
On June 6, 1947, she married John Morhart in Antwerp, Ohio. He preceded her in death in 2002.
Joanne had been a resident of Burr Oak since 1952, moving there from Ohio.
She managed Morhart’s Variety Store in Burr Oak from 1952-1997 with her husband and, after retiring, volunteered at the gift shop at Sturgis Hospital.
She was a member of Burr Oak United Methodist Church, the Burr Oak Foundation, Order of Eastern Star, Burr Oak Mothers Club, Friends of the Library and on the Burr Oak library board for many years, a Girl Scouts leader, was an avid reader and enjoyed flowers and working in the yard.
Surviving are a son, Mark J. Morhart of Denver; and a daughter, Claudia Mabry of Robbinsville, N.C.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a and son-in-law, David Mabry.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Joanne Morhart will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at The Villa at Thurston Woods Village, Chaplain Glenn Russell will officiate.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Burr Oak Township Library or The Villa at Thurston Woods Village. Envelopes are available at Hackman Family Funeral Home — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
