Joanne Marie (Thorp, Allen) Shook, 78, of Union City, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021 at Glenn Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek, surrounded by family.
The daughter of the late Richard and Betty Thorp, Joanne was born April 23, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Joanne married Charles Allen, Sr. in 1959, with whom she had four boys. Their marriage ended in 1976, but they never lost the love for each other. She later married Arthur Shook in 1988, and he passed in 2004.
Joanne was an active volunteer in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Every year she would spend much time going door to door to collect donations for “Jerry’s Kids”. She was a volunteer first responder and ambulance driver for Bedford and Emmet Townships. She also volunteered her time as a Cub Scout den mother. In later years, she would regularly drive elderly friends around and help them complete their errands.
Joanne was a member of the Union City Wesleyan Church; a member of the Cereal City CB club and her handle was “Misty Blue”. She was a member of Eagles #299 in Battle Creek for many years. After her sons were raised, she worked at Summit Polymers before retiring at the age of 62. She lived in Union City for many years, but lived at Pennfield Premier Living for the last 10 years of her life.
In her later years, Joanne enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She loved animals and would always have a barn full. She also loved to go to the flea markets, farm auctions, fishing and playing bingo. She would tell you that her greatest accomplishments in life were raising her family and losing 180 pounds.
Her beautiful life will forever be remembered in the lives of her children: Charles (Renee) Allen of Colon, Daniel Allen of Union City, Mark (Katelyn) Allen of Battle Creek, Richard (Melissa) Allen of Horton, eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Charles Allen Sr, husband Archie Shook, brother Charles Thorp, sister Linda Thorp, and great-grandson Chase Allen.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or The Autism Society of Michigan, 2178 Commons Pkwy, Okemos, MI 48864.
A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City. Pastor Jim McKernan will officiate. Services will be live streamed on the Lighthouse Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lighthousefuneral.
Interment will be at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens in Battle Creek at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2021. Visitation will be held just prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Lighthouse in Union City Thursday.
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