Joann Wilcoxson

December 19, 2024 at 5:14 p.m.


Joann Sellers Wilcoxson went to be with her Lord on Dec. 7, 2024.
Joann was born July 21, 1932, to Faun and Clifford Sellers and joined four older siblings on the family dairy farm in Monroe Township, Kosciusko County. Her parents were instrumental in Joann committing her life to Jesus at age 8. They continued their nurturing by active participation in the Sidney Grace Brethren church and by their example of personal faith.
Joann attended Monroe Township school through eighth grade and graduated from Pierceton High School as her class valedictorian. Unable to pursue a baccalaureate degree, she attended South Bend College of Commerce, graduating with a secretarial certificate.
On Oct. 26, 1951, Joann married her high school sweetheart, Robert L. Wilcoxson. After their wedding, Joann was employed at Production Credit of Warsaw and the Brethren Missionary Herald before moving with her husband to Fowler. The couple raised five children in Fowler and were extremely supportive of their myriad activities as well as being actively involved in church and community affairs. Joann worked with her husband’s business endeavors before serving as Benton County deputy treasurer for eight years.
In 1984 Joann moved to Winona Lake with her youngest son after the premature death of her husband. She was initially employed at Arnolt Corporation followed by ten years in the legal department at Zimmer Corporation. Joann was a member of the Winona Literary Society, a volunteer at the Billy Sunday Museum and an active member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church where she worked tirelessly in the church library, women’s ministries, foreign missions support and prayer groups.
Joann is survived by her children: Brenda, Brent (Debra), Jeff (Kelly), Doug (Lisa), Darrin (Alice); grandchildren: Aaron (Michelle), Jonathan (Kirby), Elisabeth (Timothy), Anna, Emily (Ryan), Isaac (Katlin), Abi; great-grandson, Ezekeiel; sisters-in-law, Betty Wilcoxson and Bonnie Sellers; and numerous nieces and nephews with whom she maintained active contact.
Friends and family may visit from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 at Winona Lake Grace Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake. Joann’s life will be celebrated with a service at noon on Monday, Dec. 23 at Winona Lake Grace Church and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow. She will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Winona Lake Grace Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Grace College, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

Joann Sellers Wilcoxson went to be with her Lord on Dec. 7, 2024.
Joann was born July 21, 1932, to Faun and Clifford Sellers and joined four older siblings on the family dairy farm in Monroe Township, Kosciusko County. Her parents were instrumental in Joann committing her life to Jesus at age 8. They continued their nurturing by active participation in the Sidney Grace Brethren church and by their example of personal faith.
Joann attended Monroe Township school through eighth grade and graduated from Pierceton High School as her class valedictorian. Unable to pursue a baccalaureate degree, she attended South Bend College of Commerce, graduating with a secretarial certificate.
On Oct. 26, 1951, Joann married her high school sweetheart, Robert L. Wilcoxson. After their wedding, Joann was employed at Production Credit of Warsaw and the Brethren Missionary Herald before moving with her husband to Fowler. The couple raised five children in Fowler and were extremely supportive of their myriad activities as well as being actively involved in church and community affairs. Joann worked with her husband’s business endeavors before serving as Benton County deputy treasurer for eight years.
In 1984 Joann moved to Winona Lake with her youngest son after the premature death of her husband. She was initially employed at Arnolt Corporation followed by ten years in the legal department at Zimmer Corporation. Joann was a member of the Winona Literary Society, a volunteer at the Billy Sunday Museum and an active member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church where she worked tirelessly in the church library, women’s ministries, foreign missions support and prayer groups.
Joann is survived by her children: Brenda, Brent (Debra), Jeff (Kelly), Doug (Lisa), Darrin (Alice); grandchildren: Aaron (Michelle), Jonathan (Kirby), Elisabeth (Timothy), Anna, Emily (Ryan), Isaac (Katlin), Abi; great-grandson, Ezekeiel; sisters-in-law, Betty Wilcoxson and Bonnie Sellers; and numerous nieces and nephews with whom she maintained active contact.
Friends and family may visit from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 at Winona Lake Grace Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake. Joann’s life will be celebrated with a service at noon on Monday, Dec. 23 at Winona Lake Grace Church and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow. She will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Winona Lake Grace Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Grace College, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

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