Obituary for Joan Tutt
Joan Lee Tutt
Mrs. Joan Lee Tutt, age 73, of Nashville passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 19th, 2020 at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital, Hastings, MI.
Joan was born in Aurora, IL on October 30, 1946, the daughter of the late Wendlen and Miriam (Feldman) Burckhard. She was raised in Aurora, IL and graduated from West Aurora High School in 1964. During her high school years, Joan began dating her long time classmate, Mr. Ron Tutt. Joan pursued a career in the beauty industry, attending Cosmetology School in Chicago, IL while Ron attended the University of Illinois. At some point, Joan decided to travel to California for an extended visit with her aunt. Prior to leaving, Joan made her desire to get married known to Ron, and on returning from California, Ron proposed. They were married on June 22, 1968.
A close friend of Ron’s relocated to Nashville from Aurora while in high school and was influential in the couple’s decision to also relocate to the community in 1971, where they raised their family together and celebrated over 51 years of marriage.
Shortly after moving to Nashville, the family began attending Nashville Baptist Church and developed a deep love for their church family and became actively involved church members. In addition to being a devoted wife and homemaker, Joan spent some years working as a secretary for Nashville Christian Academy (currently Barry County Christian School) where their children attended school.
Joan loved her family and tending to her home and was an avid gardener with beautiful perennials. In her spare time, she enjoyed working on craft projects including making jewelry and tole painting. Along with her daughter, Jennifer, they took their crafts to shows throughout the West Michigan area. Ron and Joan enjoyed many vacations over the years, often joining their adult children and extended family on excursions, including a month-long stay in Germany with visits to several European countries.
Joan was also a highly competitive card player. Each morning she and Ron would spend quiet time reading the Bible over a cup of coffee. That quiet time was usually followed up with Joan beating her husband in a card game to start the morning off right!
Joan is survived by her beloved husband Ron, her two daughters, Kimberley (Kevin) Stewart
Jennifer (Ted) Harkema, two sisters, Beth (Will) Nelson, Judy (Bob) Windauer, brother, Mike (Debra) Burckhard, and three grandchildren; Skylar Harkema, Gabrielle Harkema, and Jadelyn Stewart. She was preceded in death by her brother, Paul Burckhard.
A memorial service will be held at Nashville Baptist Church, Nashville, MI, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23rd, with Pastor Lester DeGroot, Pastor Deano Lamphere and Steve Coplin leading the service.
There will be a time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the memorial service in the Family Center at Nashville Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to Nashville Baptist Church, Nashville, MI.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Mrs. Joan Lee Tutt, age 73, of Nashville passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 19th, 2020 at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital, Hastings, MI.
Joan was born in Aurora, IL on October 30, 1946, the daughter of the late Wendlen and Miriam (Feldman) Burckhard. She was raised in Aurora, IL and graduated from West Aurora High School in 1964. During her high school years, Joan began dating her long time classmate, Mr. Ron Tutt. Joan pursued a career in the beauty industry, attending Cosmetology School in Chicago, IL while Ron attended the University of Illinois. At some point, Joan decided to travel to California for an extended visit with her aunt. Prior to leaving, Joan made her desire to get married known to Ron, and on returning from California, Ron proposed. They were married on June 22, 1968.
A close friend of Ron’s relocated to Nashville from Aurora while in high school and was influential in the couple’s decision to also relocate to the community in 1971, where they raised their family together and celebrated over 51 years of marriage.
Shortly after moving to Nashville, the family began attending Nashville Baptist Church and developed a deep love for their church family and became actively involved church members. In addition to being a devoted wife and homemaker, Joan spent some years working as a secretary for Nashville Christian Academy (currently Barry County Christian School) where their children attended school.
Joan loved her family and tending to her home and was an avid gardener with beautiful perennials. In her spare time, she enjoyed working on craft projects including making jewelry and tole painting. Along with her daughter, Jennifer, they took their crafts to shows throughout the West Michigan area. Ron and Joan enjoyed many vacations over the years, often joining their adult children and extended family on excursions, including a month-long stay in Germany with visits to several European countries.
Joan was also a highly competitive card player. Each morning she and Ron would spend quiet time reading the Bible over a cup of coffee. That quiet time was usually followed up with Joan beating her husband in a card game to start the morning off right!
Joan is survived by her beloved husband Ron, her two daughters, Kimberley (Kevin) Stewart
Jennifer (Ted) Harkema, two sisters, Beth (Will) Nelson, Judy (Bob) Windauer, brother, Mike (Debra) Burckhard, and three grandchildren; Skylar Harkema, Gabrielle Harkema, and Jadelyn Stewart. She was preceded in death by her brother, Paul Burckhard.
A memorial service will be held at Nashville Baptist Church, Nashville, MI, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23rd, with Pastor Lester DeGroot, Pastor Deano Lamphere and Steve Coplin leading the service.
There will be a time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the memorial service in the Family Center at Nashville Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to Nashville Baptist Church, Nashville, MI.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.