JoAnn Bush

JoAnn May Adnson Bush passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving children, on Oct. 16, 2023.

She was born on Jan. 31, 1933, in South Bend, Indiana, to Earl and Georgianna (Fritzen) Adnson, both of whom preceded her in death. On Jan. 9, 1954, at the Community Church in New Carlisle, Indiana, she married the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Frank Bush III, who has preceded her in death.

She is also preceded in death by her son, Matt Bush; her son-in-law, Jon Schaefer; her brother, Earl (late Betty) Adnson; and her sister, Cleo (late Richard) Kaminski.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Tracie (Jim) Bunton of Valparaiso, David (Annette) Bush of Valparaiso, Evanna (late Jon) Schaefer of Chesterton, Cindy (Bob) Lowther of Chesterton and Nate (Tanya) Bush of Chesterton; daughter-in-law, Janet (late Matt) Bush of Valparaiso; her siblings, Verna (late William) Rehlander of La Porte, Indiana; Leon (Judy) Adnson of New Carlisle, Indiana; sister-in-law, Barbara Bush Hall; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Chesterton, where she served several volunteer roles. She was the proud wife of a military veteran. JoAnn was a homemaker and also worked several years at the local telephone company and at American Home Foods in La Porte.

After relocating to the Chesterton area, she enjoyed working alongside her husband at the family business, Great Oaks Nursery. She had a deep affinity for the outdoors and loved to garden, take walks or simply sit on the front porch and tell stories with family and friends.

JoAnn was an old movie, book and antique enthusiast. Joey, as she was also known, enjoyed cooking, and canning as well. Some of the Christmas cookie bake-offs and canning sessions were legendary.

She enjoyed family gatherings of all kinds, including the occasional card game where she coined the phrase "faint heart never won fair maiden."

JoAnn, most of all, was a caring mother and devoted wife that provided the blueprint for the type of people her children continue to strive to become.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. (CT) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2050 W. CR-1100N, Chesterton, Indiana, with Pastor Ruth Popkin officiating. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at noon (CT) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery. There will be a luncheon at the church immediately following the burial.

Memorial donations may be given to the VNA Hospice Center, 2404 Valparaiso St., Valparaiso, IN, 46383; or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton, Indiana. Memories may be shared at: www.whitelovefuneralhome.com.