Joanne Marie (Gilmore) (Denecke) Kerkhof, 90, of Seymour passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Lutheran Community Home in Seymour.  She was born on September 2, 1932, in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Charles William and Rosalie Margaret (Streil) Gilmore.  She married Waldo Clarence Denecke on June 28, 1953, at Grace Lutheran Church in Detroit, MI and he preceded her in death on January 17, 1981.  She later married Paul Lavern Kerkhof on April 13, 1996, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN and he preceded her in death on February 19, 2013.

Joanne worked as a Lutheran schoolteacher for over forty years, teaching in the Chicago and Indianapolis area until her retirement.  After graduating from Detroit Lutheran High in Detroit, MI, Joanne attended Valparaiso University where she graduated in 1953.  She later attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where she earned her master’s degree in education.

Joanne was a devoted life-long Lutheran, baptized on October 16, 1932, and confirmed on May 12, 1946 at Grace Lutheran Church in Highland Park, MI.  She was part of the Connection Ministries, The Arc of Indiana, LWML and supported the Lutheran Community Home of Seymour.  She enjoyed camping, little league, spending the holidays with her family and going on trips to Florida.  She was an avid cook and was known for her Sunday dinners with the family.  She was most recently a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Seymour.

Joanne is survived by her five sons, David (Celeste), Paul, Alan, Arthur (Suzanne), and John (Suzanne) Denecke; eleven grandchildren, David S Denecke (Shauna), Jennifer Bennet, Angela Wallpe, Zachary (Allison) Denecke, Alexis Denecke, Adam & Andrew C. (Geriann) Denecke, Andrew J. (Sarah), Joseph, Alison, & Jacob Denecke; seven great grandchildren Tyler & Chase Bennett, Trevor Regan, Avery Denecke, Maddox & Tristen Denecke, Andrew C. Denecke Jr.;  two stepchildren, Joyce Meyer, and Rebecca Eckelman; ten step grandchildren, Christine Newkirk, Kimberly Ross, Joan Otte, Mindy Setser, Kyle & Eric Kerkhof, Emily Cremeans, Tenille Bullock, Ashly Meyer, and Travis Eckelman; and several step great grandchildren.  She is also survived by a sister, M. Peggy (Gilmore) Milligan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Rosalie Gilmore; first stepmother, Bernadine Reithmeier; second stepmother, Lena Caldwell; first husband, Waldo Denecke; second husband, Paul Kerkhof; and a granddaughter, Sarah Denecke.

Memorial services for Joanne will be on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 3p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Andrew Currao and Rev. Zachary Huffman officiating.  Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of services at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Seymour, IN.  Burial will take place at a later date in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Joliet, IL.

In leu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Joanne to:
Valparaiso University    https://www.valpo.edu/
The Arc of Indiana    https://www.arcind.org/
Connection Ministries    https://connection-ministries.org/

Online condolences may be left online at www.vossfuneralservice.com

Funeral arrangements for Joanne have been entrusted in the care of Voss Funeral and Cremation Services of Seymour.

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