Joanne Blaize Wallace Parke, age 85, died at Transcendent Healthcare South in Boonville, Indiana on January 3, 2015.

Born on November 30, 1929 in Oakland City, IN, to Randall and Dale Blaize, she attended Oakland City High School and graduated in 1946.

Joanne worked at Oakland City College from 1962 until 1972, serving as Secretary to OCC President Carl Shepard and then as Registrar. After graduating from Oakland City College in 1971 with a B.S. in Education, Joanne began teaching in Princeton where she taught at Baldwin Heights and Brumfield elementary schools. She earned her M.S. in Education in 1975 and a Reading Specialist Certification in 1978 from Indiana University. Joanne then served as the Reading Specialist for Princeton Community Schools until her retirement in 1997.

Joanne was a member of North Gibson Education Association, ISTA, and NEA during her teaching career. She belonged to Alpha Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma educational societies. Joanne was a life member of Indiana State Retired Teachers Association.

Joanne’s most important association was with God and her church. Joanne was a very active member of the Oakland City Church of the Nazarene where she taught Sunday School for many years and sang in the choir. After her move to Florida in 2003, she belonged to the Fort Myers First Church of the Nazarene where she was active in the choir and the missionary society.

Survivors include daughters Janet Wallace Metzger (Michael) of Boonville, IN and Jeanne Wallace Crowder (Steve) of Alexander City, AL. Joanne’s grandchildren are Jared Smith of Indianapolis, IN and Jordan Medrano-Smith of Aliso Viejo, CA, and Megan Metzger Clamme and Morgan Metzger Ransom of Boonville, IN. Her great-grandchildren are Mia Clamme, Reese Ransom, and Natalie Clamme all of Boonville, IN. Joanne is also survived by sisters Betty Mason of Salem, IN. and Elaine Parmenter of Conyers, GA. and brother Carl Blaize of Marco Island, FL. Also surviving her are many nieces and nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Randall and Dale Blaize.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 7th at 10:00 AM at the Oakland City Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Darin D. Nossett. Visitation will be at Lamb Basham Memorial Chapel Oakland City on Tuesday, January 6th from 4:00-8:00 PM. Burial will take place in Montgomery Cemetery.