- Date Of Birth: June 5, 1936
- Date Of Death: June 20, 2016
- State: Michigan
GERNAAT (Shimer), Joan B. Portage, MI died Monday afternoon June 20, 2016. Joan was born June 5, 1936 in Watervliet, Michigan the eldest daughter of Earl and Ruth (O’Riley) Shimer. She resided in Portage most of her adult life and was employed by the Portage Public Schools for 39 years, retiring in 1997.
Joan was also a long serving President of the Portage Education Association, holding that position for 19 years. Like her mother, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Being a very creative person, she was known for her ceramics and her poetry. She looked forward to time spent with friends, from her past coworkers from West Middle School to her ceramics classmates.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Kaye Smithley; and a brother-in-law, Roy Smithley. Joan is survived by 3 children, Deborah (David) Hughston of Canandaigua, NY, Catherine Gernaat of Kalamazoo, and Mark (Traci) Gernaat of Portage; 3 grandchildren, Sarah Hughston, and Sydne and Carter Gernaat; a brother, Earl “Chip” (Gwen) Shimer Jr. of St. Joseph, MI; and many very special nieces, nephews, and cousins.
www.hospiceswmi.org
