Joann Rita (Schneider) Wood

      Joann Rita Wood passed peacefully on December 27, 2023, at the age of 79 in the comfort of her bed. She will be remembered for her toughness, creativity, humor, courage and braveness as she fought the good fight against cancer. She loved giving treats and crocheted gifts to the oncology staff at the Sparrow Ionia Hospital. They enjoyed her various holiday outfits and her infectious sense of humor. 
     Joann was born on October 3, 1944, to Clarence and Dorothy (Wohlscheid) Schneider in Pewamo. Joann was the 7th of their family of 13 children: Donnie (Mary Ellen), Carol (Vern) McQueen both deceased, Dolores (Larry Keiffer deceased) (Bob) Spitzley, Mike (Mary Ann), Patti (Dewey) Collard, Sharon (Richard) Williams both deceased, Kay (Mark) Klein, Arlene (Tom-deceased) Bohen, Clair (Mary Ann -deceased) Schneider, David Schneider, Donna (Scott) McCloud, and Dottie Chesney. Joann and Fred were married on August 3, 1963, and she joined the Donald and Mary Ann Wood family: Patti McCrea – deceased, Bill - deceased (Janet) Wood, Kathy (Paul – deceased) Grantz, Micky (Kathy) Wood, and Jenny Shangraw. 
     Fred and Joann lived on the Wood family farm and eventually built a house at their pond. Fred passed away on December 6, 2022. Joann is survived by her three children, Steve (Brenda) Wood, Jackie (Tim) Nurenberg, and Ron (Selina) Wood, all of which reside in Pewamo. She loved her children, but her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great granddaughter: Rachel (Clinton) Korneffel, Erica (Evan) Foresman, Alyssa Nurenberg, Dakota Nurenberg, Jason (Rebecca) Wood, Nicki Wood, Katie Wood, Sara Wood, and Zachary Wood; great-granddaughter Amelia Korneffel. 
     Joann was always on the move. She was very artistic and painted anything she could get her hands on from canvases, saws, pan covers, and rocks. She painted several murals at her home. The highlight of Christmas was her hand painted Christmas ornaments. She crocheted, sewed, cooked and baked. When she could no longer paint, she started diamond art. Her granddaughters enjoyed monthly crotchet days with her. She loved a good game of Rummikub, scum, euchre, and dominoes. Back in the day, she loved to fish, cross country ski, play tennis and golf. She would use her putter to chip on the green and that move is known by some as “The Joann”. She loved to be outside tending to her various flower beds, taking the grandchildren on golf cart rides through “the jungle”, zipping around on her ranger looking for golf balls, and mowing her huge lawn. She owned and operated The Truck Stop in Pewamo and then Wood’s Deli in Pewamo. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed critiquing restaurant meals. She was Fred’s secretary and errand runner which she did not get paid enough for. Joann loved spending time at their home at Houghton Lake, Arizona and then Florida.
     Visitation will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel in Fowler with a rosary prayed at 5:00 P.M. Mass will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pewamo at 10:00 A.M. with Fr. Darrel Kempf presiding. Joann will be taken to her final resting place at the cemetery followed by a luncheon at the St. Joseph Activity Center. Family and friends are encouraged to join the family to honor and celebrate Joann. 
     Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School – Pewamo or Sparrow Ionia Hospital. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Goerge Chapel, Fowler, Michigan.