JoAnn Townsend Richards

1937 - 2016

JoAnn (Flecker) Townsend Richards, 79

MUNCIE - JoAnn (Flecker) Townsend Richards, 79, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Wednesday, September 7, 2016.

She was born on January 8, 1937 in Corydon, Indiana to Joseph and Alice (Rainbolt) Flecker and lived in Alexandria for several years before moving to Gaston in 1960.

She was graduate of Alexandria High School-Class of 1956 where she was Homecoming Queen. For several years, JoAnn was a dental assistant for Dr. Tony Fisher in Alexandria. She was a bus driver for Delaware Community School, retiring in 2009 after twenty-eight years of employment. She was a former member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria and more recently a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Muncie where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. JoAnn was a devoted member of the Legion of Mary and was faithful in serving communion to shut-ins and nursing home residents. JoAnn was an avid (rabid) Notre Dame fan.

Survivors include her daughter, Sherri Townsend Hines of Indianapolis; six sons,

Mark Townsend of Eagleville, Missouri, Dean (Lori) Townsend of Muncie, Chris (Jill) Townsend of Gaston, Ted (Susan) Townsend of Gaston, Andy (Amy) Townsend of Yorktown, Daniel Townsend of Muncie; brother, Richard Flecker (Jeanne Lager) of Nashville, Indiana; sister, Margaret (Steve) Goodman of Muncie; fourteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; father of her children, Edward Townsend of Albany; special friend, Sherry Holland of Indianapolis; several nieces, nephews and cousins

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Donnie Flecker; a sister, Mary Lou Linsberg Thomason.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 820 East Charles Street, Muncie. Father Dave Hellman will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Alexandria.

Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2016 at the Owens Funeral Home, 412 North Harrison Street, Alexandria. A Rosary Service will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday to close the calling hours.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Lawrence Food Pantry through the funeral home.

Online condolences owensmemorialservices.com