JoAnn Wattles

1938 - 2016

JoAnn (Westfall) Wattles

JoAnn (Westfall) Wattles, 77, of Bloomington, passed away February 28, 2016, at IU Health Bloomington Hospital.

Born on May 20, 1938, in Lafayette, Indiana, she was the only child of Marguerite (Bailey) Carpenter and Carl Johnson. JoAnn attended Jefferson High School where she was a proud member of the A Capella Choir and the marching band. She was a swimming instructor and lifeguard at the "big round pool" at Columbian Park. She graduated from Purdue University in 1956, with a degree in teaching. She was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. JoAnn taught middle school in Ohio, and then in San Diego, where she met James R. Wattles, her future husband. She and Jim were married on June 26, 1964 at the Congress Street United Methodist Church, in Lafayette, Indiana. After stints in North Carolina, Anderson, Indiana, and Indianapolis, JoAnn, Jim, and their two daughters, Jennifer & Christine, moved to Bloomington in 1971. JoAnn was a long-time member of the Bloomington Country Club, and enjoyed the decades-long tradition of the weekly Friday night dinners with her friends. She loved to travel, play bridge, fish, and read romance novels. However, there were few things that she enjoyed more than spending time with her grandkids, particularly showering them with the candy and treats that her daughters were never allowed. JoAnn was predeceased by her husband, Jim, and her father. Survivors include her mother, Marguerite Carpenter, her two daughters, Jennifer (Kevin) Halloran, of Bloomington, and Christine (Edward) Sammons, of West Lafayette; her nine grandchildren, Sheridan Halloran, Delaney Halloran, Griffin Halloran, Eleanor Sammons, Riley Halloran, Peter Sammons, Evan Halloran, Maggie Sammons, and Aidan Halloran; and her beloved terrier, Charlie. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Allen Funeral Home, at 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Monroe County Habitat for Humanity (put BHSN in the memo) at 213 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47408. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to JoAnn's family at www.allencares.com