Mrs. Joanne Hargrove

**ATTENTION FAMILY & FRIENDS: A Celebration of Life Gathering for Joanne is being planned for March of 2025. Please see additional information and location below ______________________________ The Obituary Joanne was born March 19, 1942 to Benjamin Zimmerman and Elizabeth Merbs in Grand Rapids, MI, and passed away January 10, 2025 after a short illness. Joanne (lovingly nicknamed Jo), loved her family above all else. She loved nothing more than having family get togethers for Sunday dinners, birthdays, celebrations, and holidays. Especially at Christmas time, where her house was frequently known as “the Christmas house.” Jo was an ardent fan of her Detroit Tigers, Michigan Wolverines, and Detroit Lions. She could always be found on the phone with family members while the games were on talking about what was happening. Jo also loved flowers of all kinds. During the summer, she enjoyed potting and planting her gardens, decorating her backyard and patios with beautiful floral arrangements. At Christmas time, she would decorate every room in the house, including the front porch and back patio. The tree was always overflowing with gifts for family and friends. She would start her Christmas baking the day after Thanksgiving so that by the week before Christmas there would be 4 different types of bread and over 15 types of cookies for everyone to pick up and enjoy for the holiday. Jo’s love of her dogs was unsurpassed. She viewed them as an extension of her family and loved them fiercely. We know that she was greeted at Heaven’s gate by Smokey, Charlie, Oakley, and her grand-dog Magglio. She is preceded in death by her parents Benjamin and Elizabeth; her brothers Raymond, Jerry, and Edward; and her son William Hargrove. Joanne is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years James and her four children; Laura (Ron) Perry, Tara (Dan) Cramer, Brandan (Emily) Hargrove, and Thad Hargrove. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter; Steven Hassing, Travis (Alyssa) Hassing, Jessica Bakker, Elizabeth Hargrove, Nattalie Hargrove, Trenten Hargrove, Ethan Cramer, Alex Cramer, Miles Cramer, and Joanna Gallagher; along with many cherished nieces and nephews. Joanne’s adored dogs, Jake and Cassius, miss their mom every day. Her life long best friend of 80 years Pam Johnson and Pam’s family will also miss her greatly. A celebration of life will be held at Roxie’s Breakfast & Lunch in Kalamazoo, MI (4010 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49048) on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 11 am-3 pm. We love you more Jo! ___________________ ***PLEASE NOTE: IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family requests sending donations to: James Hargrove or Laura Perry to help pay for expenses.

Mrs. Joanne Hargrove

March 19, 1942 - January 10, 2025