Joann Laurene Vanover Obituary (1940 - 2017)

Joann Laurene Vanover, 76 years of age, of Beatrice passed away at the Goldcrest Retirement Center in Adams Monday night, September 4, 2017. She was born on October 22, 1940 in Beatrice to David and Hazel (Danks) Wherry. She lived in Beatrice most of her life, and was a graduate of Beatrice High School in 1959. At age 10, she was baptized and became a member of the West Side Baptist Church in Beatrice and later had been a member of the choir and helped clean and decorate the church. As a teenager, she had worked as a babysitter, and at A&W Root Beer, Hested's, and Montgomery Wards. Later she worked for Formfit Rogers, and McDonalds for 13 years. Joann married her high school sweetheart Billie Vanover on June 4, 1959 at the West Side Baptist Church in Beatrice. To this union two daughters were born, Pam Ray and Lori Wagers. They lived in Springfield, MO from 1988 until moving back home in 1999. Joann worked for the Montclair Retirement Center in Springfield, and for Kids Korner Day Care in Beatrice before retiring in 2002 to babysit a newborn grandson that was born on her birthday. Joann loved attending her grandchildren and great grandchildren activities, baking pies (especially Apple Pie), sewing, shopping, and loved to clean and decorate her home. Survivors include 2 daughters, Pam Ray (Jeff) of Wymore, and Lori Wagers (Scott) of Diller; 6 grandchildren Tyler Ray (Liz), Ashley Weyers (Craig), Accassia Saathoff, Jayde Blythe (Travis), Trey Saathoff, and Chance Earnhart; 7 great grandchildren, and one more on the way; sisters in law Belinda Wherry, Barbara Wherry, Carolyn Vanover, and Lois Bernadt; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents David & Hazel Wherry; husband Billie Vanover (2016); brothers Larry & Jerry Wherry; brothers in law Jake Vanover and Lee Borgman ; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, September 8, 2017 at the West Side Baptist Church with Jon Palmquist officiating. Interment will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery. The body will lie in state Thursday from 1:00-9:00 PM at the Griffiths- Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 7:00-8:30 PM, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Friday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 AM Friday at the church. A memorial has been established to the church with the funeral home in charge. Sign Joann's online guest book and watch her video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.