Joanne Elma Kessler Jones

1930 - 2018

Joanne Elma Kessler Jones

Indianapolis - Joanne Elma Kessler Jones, aged 88, of Indianapolis passed away August 2nd. She was the daughter to the late Pascal Hale Kessler and Lydia Mankat Kessler, born January 15, 1930 in Dayton, Ohio. She graduated from University of Cincinnati in 1951 with a degree in nursing, was elected to the Mortar Board, and later obtained a Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University.

Joanne was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon. She was also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter Q and was past president of the St. Vincent Hospital Guild. She was a member of the 500 Festival Associate Committee and a member of Indiana Buick Club of America.

She is survived by her husband, Jack A. Jones, who met her through the Tall Club while on a trip to Miami Florida. They were married in November of 1958. Her children are Laurence (Dawn) Jones and Gayle Jones Blahut (deceased). She has five Grandchildren, Bailey, Beck and Carly, Julie and Rex Blahut. Her Son in Law Greg Blahut also survives.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, Jack and their many friends they met through the Tall Club and the Buick Club. She worked as a Registered Nurse from the time she graduated from college until the birth of their first child. Nursing provided her with life-long opportunities. Once her children entered high school she returned to the workforce to share her experience as a teacher, and then director of the J Everett Light Career Center LPN program. The LPN program allowed her to return to the Maternity Wards on a regular basis which was, for her, the highlight of each school semester. After retiring from J Everett Light she continued to volunteer her time with the St Vincent Guild and as a counselor in the St Vincent Intensive Care wards.

Family and friends will gather Thursday August 9th from 4:00 to 8:00pm in Leppert Mortuary Nora Chapel, and funeral services will be held on Friday 11am in Northminster Presbyterian Church.

You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Joanne or arrange a memorial gift to Northminster Presbyterian Church or the St. Vincent Hospital Guild.