Obituary of JoAnn M. King

JoAnn M. King, 78, of Newton, passed away Monday afternoon, April 2, 2012, at Skiff Hospice. A funeral service for JoAnn will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 6, 2012, at the Baxter Evangelical Free Church. The Pence - Reese Funeral Home in Newton, has been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5 at the funeral home. Pastor Eugene Bucklin will conduct the services. Memorials are being designated in JoAnn's name to the Baxter Evangelical Free Church or Progress Industries. Burial will be in the Restland Cemetery in Baxter. JoAnn, the daughter of John Levi and Minnie Wilhemenia (Fichtner) Hills, was born January 6, 1934, in Cambridge, Iowa. She was a graduate of the Colfax Senior High, Class of 1951. In 1953, JoAnn was united in marriage with Donald W. Springer. A lifelong resident of the Jasper County area, she had devoted her life to her family and friends, and was a member of the Baxter Evangelical Free Church. She was employed as a power truck operator by the Maytag Company, retiring after 24 years on May 29, 1992. Donald would precede her in death. JoAnn was a kind and warm hearted lady, and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. On Jan. 1, 1978, JoAnn was united in marriage with Jimmie E. King at the First Lutheran Church in Newton. She enjoyed sewing, reading and crossword puzzles. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; a son Steven; step-son David King and her brother. Those left to honor JoAnn's memory include her husband Jimmie; her daughter Diana Lee (Tommy) Illingworth; a son Donald Scott Springer; step-son Darin D. (Pauline) King; a step-daughter Kitty (J.C.) Burton; her two grandchildren and twelve step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren; and her many friends.