Joanne L. Merritt Obituary

Joanne L. (Froehlich) Merritt, 87, of St. Joseph, was called home to be with her Savior on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Bellbrook Assisted Living, Rochester Hills, MI.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Joshua Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Joanne was born on August 7, 1938, to John Sr. and Eleanor (Pudell) Froehlich in Benton Harbor, MI. She graduated from Eau Claire High School as valedictorian in 1956. Joanne then went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts with honors in 1960 from Western Michigan University and later received a Master of Arts from Western Michigan University in 1977. On April 22, 1961, she married Wayne Merritt in Sodus, MI. She taught elementary school in the Fairplain school district in the 1960s and the St. Joseph Public Schools from the mid-1970s until retiring in 1998.

Joanne enjoyed playing games, cooking, watching sports, and laughing. She was very involved with Grace Lutheran Church, as a Sunday school teacher and treasurer for several years. She also served on the Altar Guild, bell choir, and as a Vacation Bible School helper.

Joanne is survived by her children, Joel Merritt of Commerce Twp., MI, John (Betty) Merritt of Rochester Hills, MI, grandson, Paul Merritt of Peoria, IL, sister, Jeanne Hahn of Sodus, MI, brother, John (Joyce) Froehlich Jr. of Niles, MI, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Wayne Merritt, parents, John Sr. and Eleanor (Pudell) Froehlich, and brother-in-law, Chester Hahn.