Joan Warners

As family and friends can certainly attest, Joan Warners truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength and encouragement, even in the most difficult of times. Nothing brought Jo greater joy than surrounding herself with her loved ones. She was well known for her solid work ethic as well as her unshakeable faith, which formed the foundation of all that she did. Deeply loved, Jo will be forever missed by those who knew her best.

The 1930s are remembered as a time of great turmoil and struggle for the United States. The Great Depression was in full swing, and many families across the country pulled together to make ends meet and thrive in their time of need. During these dark years, however, there was a ray of light for George and Rosabel (Griffith) Heidenga of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they eagerly awaited the arrival of their second child. On May 24, 1938, they welcomed their daughter, who they named Joan Sadie, into the world.

Growing up, Jo was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home in Grand Rapids alongside her siblings, Ray, Sharon, Sandy, Jim, and Darlene. Both of her parents worked to support the family, so Jo often helped with chores around the house and cared for her younger siblings. She grew to be very close with her brothers and sisters. Throughout Jo’s childhood, the Heidenga family were faithful members of Trinity Reformed Church. She attended local schools, including West Leonard Elementary and Harrison Park Middle School. As she got older, Jo began babysitting and helping out another family. She then got a job working in the cafeteria at the local YWCA. Jo graduated from Union High School, ready to move on to bigger and better things.

It was while Jo was working at the YMCA that she met the man who would soon become the love of her life. His name was Wayne Warners, and the two enjoyed a first date to a basketball game followed by a hamburger at Kewpee's. There was an instant spark between them, and over the next few years, their relationship continued to blossom. When Wayne joined the Army, Jo wrote to him nearly every day, and she continued to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance. They got engaged on his leave that first Christmas. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Jo and Wayne were married on May 6, 1958, at Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church. The newlyweds then enjoyed a honeymoon in Niagara Falls before settling into an apartment on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids. After a few years, Jo and Wayne would build their longtime home on Seymour Street on the Northwest side of the city, where they would spend 58 wonderful years together.

All who knew Jo can surely agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. She and Wayne were overjoyed to welcome their two beloved children, Kristy and Greg, into their hearts and home. Jo devoted herself to caring for her family and her home, keeping everything tidy and running smoothly. She truly thrived in her role as a mother and was very involved in the lives of her children. Later in life, Jo was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother as well. She adored her grandchildren, doting on them whenever she could, and she was honored to be able to care for them when they were young. Jo always considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones. She was a great listener.

Over the years, family vacations consisted mostly of staying at a Holiday Inn and eating at restaurants so that Jo didn’t have to cook or clean. She also enjoyed memorable weekend trips with her friend, Lil Tacoma each spring and fall. For their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Jo and Wayne reenacted their honeymoon, even stopping for breakfast at the same restaurant in Lowell where he gave her a corsage. They also enjoyed making regular trips to flea markets, Shipshewana, and local plays.

As a dedicated member of her community, Jo could often be found volunteering and serving others. She and Wayne were members of West Leonard Christian Reformed Church, where she would volunteer in the coffee break ministry and watching the children during Bible studies. Jo served in her church for over 35 years, touching countless lives along the way while engaging in Stephens Ministry.

Never one to sit still for long, Jo pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She had a hair appointment every Friday, and she enjoyed taking care of herself and making sure she looked good. Jo was very creative and liked going to craft shows, even dabbling in ceramics herself from a time. She was an avid reader and loved spending time in the kitchen, baking fresh fruit pies. Jo and Wayne spent nearly every New Year’s Eve with their good friends, Huck and Mary Kok. They also had several close friends from their church that they enjoyed spending time with, and playing on the church volleyball team. More than anything else, Jo loved to surround herself with her family.

When reflecting on the life of Joan Warners, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of faith and kindness, and she was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Jo was a friend to many and beloved by all. She faced challenges head on with a spirit of gentle determination, and her primary focus in life was fostering deep and personal relationships with those around her. Though she will be dearly missed, Jo leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Joan S. Warners, “Jo”, age 85 of Grand Rapids, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 6, 2024. She is survived by her husband, Wayne; their children Kristy & Craig Cameron, Greg & Julie Warners; grandchildren Jeff & Amber Veley, Kyle Veley, Randall Warners, Anna & Jared Sytsma, Tyler Warners and Kate Warners; great-grandson Judah Veley; sisters Sharon (Skip) Gilmore, Sandy (Chuck) Buffham; brother Jim (Karen) Heidenga; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara (Glenn) VanderHaak, Jane Warners, Judy Caine, Bob Smitter; and many nieces and nephews.

Jo was preceded in death by her brother, Ray Heidenga; sister, Darlene Smitter, sister-in-law Carol Heidenga; and son-in-law Larry Veley.

The service to remember and celebrate Jo’s life will be on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Sunday from 4-6 PM. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Garden. For those who wish, memorial donations to either West Side Christian School or Northwest Food Pantry are appreciated. To read more about Jo, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com