Joann Burton

Truly beautiful on the inside and out, Joann Burton was a blessing to her family and friends.

Born during the harsh days of the Great Depression, Joann Carry was born on April 4, 1939, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the youngest of six children born to Mel and Mabel (Dubois) Jones. Raised alongside her one sister and four brothers, she grew up in the White Cloud area until moving to Grand Rapids while in high school. Joann attended school in White Cloud initially, but after the move she attended Creston High School and then Union High School.

New and exciting changes were in store for Joann when she met and later married Fredrick Schader in April of 1955. She spent a lot of her time working as a young newlywed. Joann worked in housekeeping at a retirement home as well as at various restaurants and factories. Although these were challenging days, she worked hard and remained strong. Although thhe marriage did not last, Joann and her husband were blessed with the births of two children, Althea and Charles, and she spent many years living with her sister on Turner Street.

Throughout her life Joann was one to keep busy. She collected anything that had a rooster on it, and although she had a lot of things it was all well organized. Joann loved doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, and doing needlepoint, and she also played Rummy. She was a good cook, especially when it came to sloppy joes and chicken, but it was serious business when she was in her kitchen. In fact, everyone knew that if they messed with her in the kitchen they would be disciplined either with a rolling pin or a cast iron pan! Joann loved watching Golden Girls and Dancing With The Stars, and she also enjoyed Johnny Cash and many other country artists. She attended a nearby church for many years, developing relationships there as well.

There was never anything of greater significance in Joann’s life than the people around her. She was very outgoing and could be very chatty with a good sense of humor when she was around people she knew well. In later years, Joann was the glue that held the family together as she was the steady one who could be counted on for her sound advice. She was “Granny” to several others who weren’t actually family, and she was always so encouraging. Joann was forever telling others, “You can do better,” and “Don’t sell yourself short.” She also had cats, even referring to them as her babies, and she once had 14 at a time.

Deeply loved, Joann Carry Burton will be forever missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Joann Carry Burton, age 78 of Grand Rapids, passed away January 20, 2018. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Kevin Disinger. Joann is survived by her daughter, Althea "Cookie" Miller; son, Charles Schader; nephew/grandson Don Swackhammer, and the rest of the Swackhammer family, grandchildren Kim (Laurisa VanZyl) Disinger, Shanda Miller; great grandchildren Andrew, Trevor and Amanda; as well as several "adopted" grandchildren. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 27 at 1 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE where friends may visit with her family from 12 noon until the time of the service. www.lifestorynet.com