NORTH WEBSTER – JoAnn Bernthal, 70, Leesburg, passed away at 1:05 p.m. Feb. 15, 2014, at Mason Healthcare & Rehab, Warsaw. She was born Jan. 23, 1944, in Detroit, Mich., to Edward P. and Suzanna Candell Fielding. On July 12, 1988, in Carmel, Calif., she married Robert Max “Bob” Bernthal, who survives. She grew up in Michigan and graduated from Edison Ford High School in Detroit. She was an Army veteran. She formerly worked at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif., as a secretary and at a medical clinic in Lake Havasu, Ariz. She lived many places throughout her life, and for eight years in Arizona before moving to the Leesburg/North Webster area in 2006. She formerly attended the Lutheran Church in Arkansas. Also surviving are two daughters, Dawn (and spouse Shannon) Crites, Leesburg, and Mareen Walker, Nashville, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Marci (and spouse Dan) Cardoza, Springfield, Mo.; a granddaughter, Shayleen; a sister, Pat (and spouse Jerry) Gourley, and a brother, Robert (and spouse Pat) Fielding, both of Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents. There will be no public services. Private family services will be held at a later date. Owen Family Funeral Home, Ind. 13 and CR 500N, North Webster, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials to donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent via www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com
