Joan Lorraine Gonner

GONNER, Joan Lorraine (Becker), 91, died September 8, 2009 in Reading, Pa. Born November 12, 1917 in Calmar, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late R.J. and Philomena (Meyer) Becker. She is survived by a son, Henry Robert Gonner, husband of Juliette O. Gonner of Leesport, Pa.; and a daughter, Meri Joan Gibbs, wife of Philip W. Gibbs of Annapolis, Md.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, John G. Becker of Erie, Pa.; and sisters, Mary Ann Deibel of Youngstown, Ohio and Ruth E. Becker of Dubuque, Ia. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Henry Rudolph Gonner in 2004; daughter, Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Hogan of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada in 1992; and son, Nicholas Edward "Nic" Gonner of Richmond, Va. in 2008. She was also predeceased by two other sisters, Virginia Dawson and Katherine Glover; and five brothers, Lawrence, Howard, Charles, Robert and Willis Becker. Joan Gonner and her husband, Henry had lived in Richmond, Va. for 47 years prior to their move to Pa. in 2004. She was for many years a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels and for St. Bridget's Catholic Church (Richmond, Va.). She was active in the Catholic Women's Club and the Monument Heights Crest Garden Club in Richmond. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Dubuque, Ia. on October 3, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Dubuque. Donations to your favorite charity in her memory would be appreciated. The family may be contacted through Henry Robert Gonner, Spiritual Care Department, P.O. Box 316, Reading, Pa. 19603-0316.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.