Joan Marie Ehinger

Joan Marie (Roller) Ehinger was born on August 2, 1934 in Keokuk, Iowa. She passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 at home in West Branch, Michigan.

Joan lived in Keokuk for a short time until her family moved to Los Angeles, CA. where she graduated from Bishop Conaty High School in 1952.

On a family vacation to West Branch in 1955, she met a young man who would become her best friend and the love of her life. Gerald Ehinger and Joan married in 1956 and made their home in West Branch, MI. If you knew Joanie, you knew of her zest for life. She was an avid golfer and bridge player, and she loved making special baskets of treats for the sisters at St. Joe’s School. Joan was a movie buff. She spent many evenings watching old movies, but her absolute favorite was the Tom Selleck Jesse Stone series. She followed it with her nephew, Terry Ehinger, and she'd get such a kick out of it when he'd call to remind her a new one would be airing soon.

She often enjoyed having friends over for bridge parties and dinner parties; but, she was happiest when her family gathered around her big table in the kitchen on South Dam Road. Everybody was welcome and the dinners she prepared were phenomenal. The food was great, but the best part was sitting around that big table, telling stories and laughing late into the night.

Yet, there was so much more to Joanie than golf, bridge, cooking and fun. She taught us life lessons. Family always comes first. Always. She was devoted to her family. She was so happy when we were all together. She absolutely treasured her friends. She always told us girls how important our girlfriends would be in our lives. She taught us never to speak unkindly about people and she led by example. Faith was a really big part of each day for Joanie. “Don’t drive faster than your guardian angel can fly,” she always said. (And if you ever rode with her, you know she didn’t.) She taught us the importance of laughter---deep hearty laughter. We will miss that bright laugh of hers at our big table on South Dam Road.

She is survived by her loving husband and best friend Jerry Ehinger (who called her his “Little Turtle Dove” which always made her smile) of West Branch, MI; daughter Jeri M. (Neil) Davis of Beverly Hills, MI; daughter Catherine (Jon) Lenchner of Germantown, MD; daughter Susan (Rick) Valerio of Rockledge, FL; son John Ehinger of Vienna, VA; niece Linda Oaks Ehinger of Germantown, MD.

Grandchildren: Chad Davis, Trevor Davis, Tayelor Valerio, Alexandra Valerio, Victoria Valerio, Chase Valerio.

Nieces and Nephews: Tony Roller, Peggy Roller, Dan Roller, Anne Marie Shull, Joan Roller, David Lampe.
Great Nieces and Nephew: Karen Ehinger, Amy D’Elia, Libby Shull, Tucker Shull.

She is joining in heaven:
Her parents Ervin and Loretta Roller; her sister Eileen Oaks, sister Betty Lampe, brother Dr. John Roller; and many more family members and friends whom she cherished dearly.

Visitation will begin at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Branch, MI on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. The Celebration of Life Mass will then follow at 11:00 a.m. Father Patrick Maher will officiate.