Joann Josephine Neubecker

JoAnn Neubecker, 88, of Grand Rapids and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Provisional Living in Grand Rapids. JoAnn was born January 29, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of the late Zigmond and Josephine (Kowallic) Zeneberg. After moving to Isabella County, Michigan as a young girl, JoAnn graduated from Shepherd High School in 1953. She fell in love with a young man from Beal City named Norman Leo Neubecker. After a courtship, the couple wed on October 12, 1963, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Kenneth, Janet, Susan, and Steve. While living in Beal City, JoAnn was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish and worked as a cook at its catholic school. In addition, she worked as a cook at Central Michigan University, retiring after 10 years of service. JoAnn enjoyed fishing, dancing, and singing. After Norman's death in 1986, JoAnn eventually moved to Mt. Pleasant where she was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and the Catholic Daughters. JoAnn was a kind-hearted and soft-spoken woman who loved her family dearly. She is survived by her four children, Kenneth (Deann) Neubecker of Rockford, Janet (David) Stanley of Prosper, TX, Susan (Kent) Balliet of Bailey, and Steve Neubecker of Coloma; eight grandchildren, Jason and Rachel, Justin and Ryan, Alec and Kirsten, and Cameron and Megan; siblings, Gerri (Dennis) White and Nancy Bauer, both of Mt. Pleasant; and her beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Zigmond and Josephine Zeneberg; husband, Norman Neubecker; brother, Richard Zeneberg; and brother in-law, Jim Bauer. A Funeral Mass for JoAnn will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Thomas J. McNamara as celebrant. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in Beal City. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Provisional Living of Forest Hills, or Gentiva Hospice of Grand Rapids. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.