Joanne E. Crist

     Joanne Crist passed peacefully from her time on earth into her eternal home in heaven on the morning of Dec. 19, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving daughters.

     Joanne was born on Dec. 4, 1937, to Meredith and Laura Shutts in Jersey Shore. She grew up in Nippenose Valley, alongside her three younger siblings. In school, Joanne developed a love of music and playing clarinet in the school band. She graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1955.

     During that time, she fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Walt, and listed her goal as becoming a "perfect Pine Creek housewife." This dream became reality when Walter and Joanne married on May 11, 1957, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

     They enjoyed 52 years of marriage on their Pine Creek farm, along with their two daughters, Becky and Laurie. Later in life, Joanne would become âgrammyã to her two granddaughters, Alaina and Erica, and recently was upgraded to "great-grandma" to Wally.

     Joanne worked various jobs throughout her life and ultimately retired from the West Company. Far and away, her favorite roles were being a farmer’s wife and mother. She loved caring for and serving her family. She assisted Walt with harvesting the farm crops.

     Joanne enjoyed tending to her summer garden and canning her yearly produce. Joanne loved cooking for her family and hosting gatherings for holidays or special occasions. Her favorite times were when her family was gathered for a meal. Joanne enjoyed singing in the choir at church and assisting the congregation wherever she could.

     She was beloved by many family and friends who will remember her as a devoted wife, loving mother, caring grandmother, and loyal sister. Her gentle presence will be missed by many.

     In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Crist on Dec. 24, 2009. She was faithful to maintain the family farm following his death.

     She is survived by her three siblings, Charles (Linda) Shutts of Jersey Shore, Patty Young (Jim Wiley) of Avon, Co., and David (Becky) Shutts of Jersey Shore; two daughters, Rebecca (Joseph) Hutchinson of Muncy, and Laurie (Edward) Eck of Livonia, Ny.; two granddaughters, Alaina (Jonathan) Grissom of Louisville, Tenn., and Erica (Gino Alonzo) Eck of Blaine, Tenn.; and one great-grandson, Walter Grissom. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Emily Weaver and Janet (Stewart) Ramm as well as several nieces and nephews.

     Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, 125 N. Main Street, Jersey Shore. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27 at Avis United Methodist Church, 215 Prospect Ave, Avis at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Jersey Shore Cemetery.

     Donations in her honor can be made to Avis United Methodist Church.

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