JoAnne Crotty, age 92, of South Wayne passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Lafayette Hospital and Clinics in Darlington. She was born on August 21, 1933 in Red Oak, IA to Dotson and Ella (Winn) Black. She lived in Red Oak until fourth grade when her family relocated to Waddams Grove, IL for four years. They eventually settled in Darlington where she graduated high school early at the age of 16. Following graduation she worked for Attorney Floyd Olsen for 5 years. JoAnne was united in marriage to Jimmy Crotty on June 15, 1955. She proudly took on the role of a farmwife and mother, raising her three children, Cathy, Kevin, and Tim. Once her children were grown she worked part time for Colony Brands for 7 years, and 20 years at the South Wayne Bank, retiring in 1998.
After living on the farm for 42 years, JoAnne and Jimmy moved to the Village of South Wayne in 1997. She was a member of the Methodist Church in South Wayne where she sang in the choir and prepared communion for 55 years. She joined Peace Church in Christ in Browntown after her church in South Wayne closed. Although her husband was a devout catholic, they respected each other’s faith and made it work for 70 years.
JoAnne will be remembered for her wonderful cooking, especially her Fudge Nut Bars. She also created and decorated all her grandchildren’s birthday cakes. She enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, and coloring on her Ipad. JoAnne was a loving and devoted grandmother and rarely missed her grandchildren’s sporting events. She also kept busy getting together with her classmates for lunch and with her church family for breakfast.
JoAnne is survived by her husband, Jimmy; children, Cathy (David) Komprood and Tim (Rita) Crotty; grandchildren, Nicholas (Nikki) Komprood, Ryan Komprood, Calli (Jimmy) Plooster, Justin (Tiffany) Crotty, and Connor (Jenna) Crotty; 12 great-grandchildren, Griffin, Hudson, and Bristol Komprood, Evan Komprood, Parker, Paige, Pierce, and Paxton Plooster, JJ, Cameron, and Olivia Crotty, and Ellie Crotty; sisters, Shirley McConnell and Mary McDonald; and in-laws, Betty Blum, Polly (Bernie) Whalen, Roger Zimmerman, and Jane Crotty.
In addition to her parents; son, Kevin Crotty; mother and father-in-law, Blanche and Frank Crotty; JoAnne was preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie (Pat) Black; sisters, Betty (Albert) Binau, Jean (Donald) Parquet; in-laws, William McConnell, Jerry McDonald, Francis (Eileen) Crotty, Anna Mae (Bob) McDonald, Art Blum, Theresa (Roy) Figi, Joanie (Ray) Figi, Dorothy (Dale) Meyers, Jean Zimmerman, and John Crotty.
JoAnne was a kind and loving wife. She had a calm and steady influence on her family, handling life’s ups and downs with grace and dignity.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Peace Church in Christ in Browntown with Pastor Scott Cernek officiating. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Gratiot.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00PM on Monday, November 17, 2025 at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shgfuneralhome.net.
