Joanna Beemer Stoops

Van Wert - Joanna Beemer Stoops, 83, died at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 27, 2009 at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born May 4, 1926 in Huntington, Ind. to Ernest F. Beemer and Ocie Beatrice Dull Beemer Crabill, who preceded her in death. On May 29, 1946, she married James F. Stoops, who died July 17, 1996.

Mrs. Stoops was a homemaker. She had worked as a secretary at General Electric in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Starr Commonwealth in Van Wert. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Van Wert. She was a former member of TWIG and served on the board of directors for the Van Wert YWCA and Wee Care Day Care Center. She was a member of the Marsh Foundation Alumni Association, Van Wert Women’s Club and National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Survivors include, a son, Frank H. (Marsha) Stoops, of Gahanna; a daughter, Linda Lou (Dennis) Saam, of Van Wert; four grandchildren, Anthony Stoops, Tricia Jo Stoops, David Saam and Matthew Saam; four great-grandchildren, Henry, Sophia, Austin and Kiera; a stepbrother, Roger Crabill of Florida; a sister, Mildred A. Burkett, of New Haven, Ind., and a stepsister Helen Kerr of Fort Wayne, Ind.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry L. and Benjamin F. Beemer; and a sister, Imogene Amburn.

Services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home and Crematory. The Rev. Paul Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Marsh Foundation School.

Condolences may be e-mailed to agfhc@embarqmail.com.