Joanne P. Combs

Joanne (Never) Combs of Lambertville, MI passed from this earthly life on October 29, 2024, age 92, at Hospice of NW Ohio, after a brief illness. She was born on November 15, 1931 to Hattie (McIlrath) Never and Ernest Never, Sr. She was the middle child in a family of 7 children. Joanne attended Washington Local Schools. She served 4 years in the Women’s Army Corps., stationed in Fort Jackson, South Carolina during the Korean War. While there, she worked in the “Weapons Pool”, cataloging the weapons issued to each soldier. She earned the rank of Sergeant, and in her later life was fondly referred to by friends as “Sarge Jo.” Joanne was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Temperance, MI for most of her life and enjoyed singing in the choir and being of service to her church community.

Joanne worked for many years at Dura Corporation and Lucas County Juvenile Court, retiring in 1996. Family, friends and community were most important in her life. She always focused on helping others, many times sacrificing her own needs to help someone. She doted on her many nieces and nephews and was proud of each and every one. For many years, she traveled to Nags Head, NC on vacation, to walk the beautiful beach. It was her favorite place. A friend of Bill W. for over 45 years, she met and helped countless people along the way. Her philosophy was “We can’t change the past, tomorrow isn’t here yet, we only have today, this day that God gave us. So let’s do the best we can today.” She continued to live each day to the fullest, and at almost 93 years of age, she would say “Age is just a number,” and “He woke me up today, I guess God’s not finished with me yet.”

In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her siblings, Ernest Never, Jr,(and wife Sally), Eleanor Lewis, Gloria McCarty (husband, Charles), Dorothy Webber (husband, Bill) and Charles Never, Sr.; sister-in-law,  Sally Nevers; niece, Donita Davis; nephews, Jeff Nevers, Rick McCarty, Rex McCarty, and Richard Never; step-mother, Katherine Never; and ex-husband,  Bud Combs.

She leaves to cherish her memory: brother,  Ronald Nevers, Sr.; sister-in-law, Janice Roderick Never; nieces and nephews, Ron Nevers, Jr., Dawn (Rick) Pelton, Danny Nevers, Jay Nevers, Pam McCarty, Bridget Never Bovee, and Charles (Michelle) Never, Jr.; great niece,  Jennifer (Lance Barnhiser) Davis; great nephew, Jeff Davis; ex sister-in-law, Judy Never; special friends,  Larry and Tia Gee, Michelle Perrin, Sally Rabbitt, and Barbara Maxwell cherish her memory, along with many extended family and friends.

A funeral celebration will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1690 W. Sterns Rd., Temperance, MI 48182. The family will receive guests at 10:00 a.m. and service will begin at 11:30 a.m.

The family wishes to thank all of Joanne’s doctors and caregivers. Special thanks to the staff at St. Anne’s Hospital Cardiovascular and Thoracic Unit and Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Ebeid for their compassionate and tender care. Much gratitude to Aspen Grove, Joanne’s residential community, for their care and love.

Memorial contributions in Joanne’s memory can be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, American Red Cross or a charity of the donor’s choice.