Nov. 11, 1937 — Dec. 2, 2017

Jo Ann Leola Myers, 80, of Dowagiac, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo with her family by her side after a sudden illness.

The family will receive relatives and friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, and a celebration of life Service will be hosted immediately thereafter at 2 p.m. at the church. A private committal service will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac at a later date.

Contributions in memory of Jo Ann may be made to the SMC Foundation, Bookstore Annex, Alumni Welcome Center & Historic Gallery, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, or the First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac. Those wishing to send a condolence or sign the guest book online may do so at clarkch.com.

Jo Ann was born on Nov. 11, 1937, in Dowagiac, the only child of Lee and Lola (Shaw) Dorman. She graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1956, and remained very active in planning the class reunions throughout the years. On Oct. 17, 1959, she married the love of her life and soul mate, Donald “Gabe” Myers, to whom she was married for 58 years. Jo Ann worked for Southwestern Michigan College for more than 30 years before retiring. In her younger years, Jo Ann and Gabe enjoyed snowmobiling, playing cards with their friends, and attending SMC sporting events.

Jo Ann was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 40 years, and the lifelong friendships she maintained with her sorority sisters were very dear to her. She was also a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac.

Jo Ann loved the holidays, especially Christmas, when she baked dozens of different kinds of Christmas cookies.

In her retirement years, Jo Ann spent winters in Florida with Gabe and other family members and friends. Most of all, Jo Ann cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren whom she adored.

Jo Ann is survived by her husband Gabe and their children, Roger (Kelly) Myers of Brighton, Michigan and Valerie (Brandon) Root of Oostburg, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Morgan Myers, Gabrielle Myers, Andrew Myers, Claire Myers and Ashton Root; brother-in-law, John (Marjorie) Myers and sisters-in-law, Donna Hoger, Doris (Lewie) Hoyt, Diana Flanders, Darlene (Larry) Powell and Linda Andersen, and her faithful companion Schnauzer dog Abby, whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Kathy Haas. Jo Ann was loved by many people and will be deeply missed.