Joan
Joan N. Curtis
Joanie passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego.
She was born October 4, 1938 in Otsego, the daughter of Everett and Dorothy “Dot” (Graham) Leighton. Joanie attended Otsego Public Schools where she displayed her mastery of the baton in her position as lead drum majorette in the Bulldog marching band. She marched in the Orange Bowl parade and was noticed by marketers who gave her a role in commercials and put her image on the packages of the Be-Mo Potato Chips. Joanie was active in 4-H and won several Grand Championships with her horses Dixie and Checkers at the Allegan County Fair and many other events.
She worked at Gibson Guitar in Kalamazoo and modeled with a guitar custom made for and presented to Elvis Presley. She loved music and dancing winning many competitions. She could be found dancing to classics up until she was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
On December 15, 1985 at Allegan Methodist Church she married the love of her life and best friend to the end James Curtis. They were active members of the Singapore Yacht Club in Saugatuck where they enjoyed many long friendships. They also shared a wonderful life with much travel, riding camels among the Pyramids in Cairo, sailing the Nile and enjoying many other destinations over the years. They retired to their home in Naples Florida until returning to Michigan when Joanie required treatment after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Jim Curtis survives with her children, Richey (Patricia) Anson, Tami (Doug) Dommert, Bill (Jackie) Sleeman and Marc (Kathy) Sleeman; step-children, Keith (Angie) Curtis and Brad (Ronnie) Curtis; grandchildren, Marcus, Grant, Anthony, Dillon, Katie, Natalie, Gracie and Gabi; 4 step-grandchildren Bradley, Derrick, Ryan, Brittany; great-grandchildren, Ellie Jay and Mariah; Joanie’s sisters, Joyce Sheldon and Jan Ramando along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Amber.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Contributions in memory of Joanie may be made to the
Alzheimer’s Association
. Blessings of smiles and random acts of kindness done in her memory are also appreciated.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Joan N. Curtis
Condolence Messages
Linda Mollitor
December 2, 2020 at 5:02 pm
I met Joan while my parents were at Vincinia Gardens.
She was a special sweet lady,
My prayers of peace and comfort for her family.
Linda Mollitor
Reply
Dave and Karen Howrigon
December 2, 2020 at 7:38 pm
Kids so sorry to hear about your Mom. Joyce, Jan and Jim our hearts go out to you too. I am sure the last few years have been rough, but she loved life. Joanie was always quick to smile, beautiful inside and out. She will be missed.
Hugs and Prayers,
Dave & Karen Howrigon
Reply
Bryon an Kim
December 3, 2020 at 4:51 pm
We will forever remember the memories of aunt Joanie. On horses, on boats at family cookouts. Prayers and hugs to all of you cousin. She was a gift to everyone.
Reply
Deb (Ainsworth) WIntjen
December 3, 2020 at 4:54 pm
I am sorry to hear about Joanie. I remember meeting her when I was visiting my Dad Jim Ainsworth back in the 1970’s. She was always so pleasant to talk to and had that beautiful smile. I ran into her probably around 10 years ago in Kohl’s. She still remembered me. My prayers are with her husband, children and grandchildren. May she rest in peace.
Reply
Diane Borneman
December 4, 2020 at 1:08 am
To Jim and Family. Our condolences for the loss of Joanie. The SYC Pygmalion lady will be sorely missed, but always in our hearts. In an SYC spirit, we raise a glass to honor her!!! Diane and Bryan Safranski
Reply
Carol Horvath
December 4, 2020 at 9:15 am
Jim and family, I am so very sorry. Joanie was such a beautiful spirit, and we were lucky to share in your lives at Singapore Yacht Club. Love to you all, Carol
Reply
Phyllis A Hanna
December 6, 2020 at 8:22 am
So sorry to hear. Always enjoyed spending time with Joanie and Jim at Singapore Yacht Club. Prayers for Jim and the family.
Paul and Phyllis Hanna
Reply
Trevah (Rasmussen) Dalrymple
December 7, 2020 at 2:02 pm
I am so saddened to learn of Joanie’s passing and want to send my sincere condolences to Jim and Joanie’s family. Joanie had such a warm and caring personality and her vibrant smile could light up a room. She was such a fun-loving person and could turn any activity into a memorable event. We shared many laughs together. Sadly. we lost touch when she andJim moved to Florida but I will always remember Joanie with a smile on my face and a warm place in my heart.
Reply
Kim
December 8, 2020 at 4:02 pm
We only knew Joanie a short special time. But she always had a smile, hug or dance. She tried to teach me the twist dance, but I have 2 left feet, and it just didn’t work..I will miss her very much . I am glad I got to spend a few minutes singing and holding her hand. The Lord Bless you and keep you, until we meet again.
Reply
James F. Bauer
December 9, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Jim
So sorry for your loss. Joan was the best. Many happy times at SYC.
Jim Bauer & Bess Eriksson
Reply
Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
January 1, 2021 at 8:20 am
Jan and Joyce: I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. Your memories will continue to remind your wonderful times you had with her! Sending my love to you both!
Reply
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She was born October 4, 1938 in Otsego, the daughter of Everett and Dorothy “Dot” (Graham) Leighton. Joanie attended Otsego Public Schools where she displayed her mastery of the baton in her position as lead drum majorette in the Bulldog marching band. She marched in the Orange Bowl parade and was noticed by marketers who gave her a role in commercials and put her image on the packages of the Be-Mo Potato Chips. Joanie was active in 4-H and won several Grand Championships with her horses Dixie and Checkers at the Allegan County Fair and many other events.
She worked at Gibson Guitar in Kalamazoo and modeled with a guitar custom made for and presented to Elvis Presley. She loved music and dancing winning many competitions. She could be found dancing to classics up until she was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
On December 15, 1985 at Allegan Methodist Church she married the love of her life and best friend to the end James Curtis. They were active members of the Singapore Yacht Club in Saugatuck where they enjoyed many long friendships. They also shared a wonderful life with much travel, riding camels among the Pyramids in Cairo, sailing the Nile and enjoying many other destinations over the years. They retired to their home in Naples Florida until returning to Michigan when Joanie required treatment after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Jim Curtis survives with her children, Richey (Patricia) Anson, Tami (Doug) Dommert, Bill (Jackie) Sleeman and Marc (Kathy) Sleeman; step-children, Keith (Angie) Curtis and Brad (Ronnie) Curtis; grandchildren, Marcus, Grant, Anthony, Dillon, Katie, Natalie, Gracie and Gabi; 4 step-grandchildren Bradley, Derrick, Ryan, Brittany; great-grandchildren, Ellie Jay and Mariah; Joanie’s sisters, Joyce Sheldon and Jan Ramando along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Amber.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
Contributions in memory of Joanie may be made to the
Alzheimer’s Association
. Blessings of smiles and random acts of kindness done in her memory are also appreciated.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Joan N. Curtis
Condolence Messages
Linda Mollitor
December 2, 2020 at 5:02 pm
I met Joan while my parents were at Vincinia Gardens.
She was a special sweet lady,
My prayers of peace and comfort for her family.
Linda Mollitor
Reply
Dave and Karen Howrigon
December 2, 2020 at 7:38 pm
Kids so sorry to hear about your Mom. Joyce, Jan and Jim our hearts go out to you too. I am sure the last few years have been rough, but she loved life. Joanie was always quick to smile, beautiful inside and out. She will be missed.
Hugs and Prayers,
Dave & Karen Howrigon
Reply
Bryon an Kim
December 3, 2020 at 4:51 pm
We will forever remember the memories of aunt Joanie. On horses, on boats at family cookouts. Prayers and hugs to all of you cousin. She was a gift to everyone.
Reply
Deb (Ainsworth) WIntjen
December 3, 2020 at 4:54 pm
I am sorry to hear about Joanie. I remember meeting her when I was visiting my Dad Jim Ainsworth back in the 1970’s. She was always so pleasant to talk to and had that beautiful smile. I ran into her probably around 10 years ago in Kohl’s. She still remembered me. My prayers are with her husband, children and grandchildren. May she rest in peace.
Reply
Diane Borneman
December 4, 2020 at 1:08 am
To Jim and Family. Our condolences for the loss of Joanie. The SYC Pygmalion lady will be sorely missed, but always in our hearts. In an SYC spirit, we raise a glass to honor her!!! Diane and Bryan Safranski
Reply
Carol Horvath
December 4, 2020 at 9:15 am
Jim and family, I am so very sorry. Joanie was such a beautiful spirit, and we were lucky to share in your lives at Singapore Yacht Club. Love to you all, Carol
Reply
Phyllis A Hanna
December 6, 2020 at 8:22 am
So sorry to hear. Always enjoyed spending time with Joanie and Jim at Singapore Yacht Club. Prayers for Jim and the family.
Paul and Phyllis Hanna
Reply
Trevah (Rasmussen) Dalrymple
December 7, 2020 at 2:02 pm
I am so saddened to learn of Joanie’s passing and want to send my sincere condolences to Jim and Joanie’s family. Joanie had such a warm and caring personality and her vibrant smile could light up a room. She was such a fun-loving person and could turn any activity into a memorable event. We shared many laughs together. Sadly. we lost touch when she andJim moved to Florida but I will always remember Joanie with a smile on my face and a warm place in my heart.
Reply
Kim
December 8, 2020 at 4:02 pm
We only knew Joanie a short special time. But she always had a smile, hug or dance. She tried to teach me the twist dance, but I have 2 left feet, and it just didn’t work..I will miss her very much . I am glad I got to spend a few minutes singing and holding her hand. The Lord Bless you and keep you, until we meet again.
Reply
James F. Bauer
December 9, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Jim
So sorry for your loss. Joan was the best. Many happy times at SYC.
Jim Bauer & Bess Eriksson
Reply
Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
January 1, 2021 at 8:20 am
Jan and Joyce: I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. Your memories will continue to remind your wonderful times you had with her! Sending my love to you both!
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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