Dec. 13, 1929 — Jan. 28, 2020

Martha Joanne England Tope Gast, known as Joanne, 90, of Dowagiac, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 28, 2020, in her home at The Timbers of Cass County.

Joanne was born on Dec. 13, 1929 — a Friday — in Columbus, Ohio to Floyd “Newt” England and Dorothy Lucille Wilson England. She grew up in the small town of Harrisburg, Ohio with her parents and sister, Betty and was very active in the 4-H organization. Joanne worked as an executive secretary for many years. She gave her time and talents freely to a number of organizations important to her including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Business and Professional Women, Civitan, Special Olympics and her church. She married Paul Harley Tope of Columbus Ohio and then Richard Gast of Stevensville, Michigan. After getting married, Joanne lived in Ohio, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Michigan, retiring in Dowagiac, Michigan. She loved sewing, golf, music, playing the piano, singing and had a beautiful voice.

Joanne is survived by her children, Gary Lee Tope, of Benton Harbor, and Janet Lynn Tope Hawkins Treer (Gary); her grandchildren, Zachary Tope (Jenna) and Jennifer Leigh Hawkins Schwartz; and her great-grandchildren, Benjamin “Jamie” Schwartz and Ryan Schwartz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; her dear sister, Betty England Ford (Don); their children, Diana Ford Phelps (Terry), Jeffrey Ford (Betty), Dortha Ford; and a number of cousins.

A graveside memorial will be held at Pleasant Cemetery, 14220 Era Rd, Mt. Sterling, Ohio, on a future date.

Memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics of Michigan. Those wishing to sign Joanne’s Memory Book online may do so at clarkch.com.