Submitted by: Dan Rich

JoAnn Peppers

Nov. 30, 1932 - Oct. 28, 2001

South Bend Tribune 10/30/2001

JoAnn (Divens) Peppers, 68, born Nov. 30, 1932, went home to our heavenly Father on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001. JoAnn is survived by her husband, Donald L. Peppers Sr., who she married on April 27, 1952. Donald is a retired crane operator for Alro Steel of South Bend, Ind. He also served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. Jo Ann was a member of American Legion Post #161, the Mishawaka Moose and the Girl Scouts.

She is also survived by five children, Donald Lewis Peppers and his girlfriend, Holly Beauprez, both of Mishawaka, Ind., Jeffery M. (Deborah) Peppers of South Bend, Jack Lee Peppers Sr. and his girlfriend, Josie Zingarelli, both of Mishawaka, and two daughters, Marjorie J.A. Holderman and her boyfriend, Tim Myers, both of Mishawaka, and Lisa L. Peppers and her boyfriend, Nick Bickel, both of Mishawaka; 17 grandchildren, Desiree McLean, Star Sanders and Devon Peppers, all of Forest, Ind., Codie L., Kelsey L. and Jordon A. Beauprez, all of Mishawaka, Angela M. Faulkner of Edwardsburg, Mich., Amber N. and Tiffany L. Peppers of South Bend, Jack L. Peppers Jr., Ashley M. Barnard-Peppers and Robin D. Kilgore-Peppers, both of Mishawaka, Brandon M. Holderman, Savannah E.J. Holderman and Alexandra A.M. Holderman, all of Mishawaka, Nicholas J. and Ryan D. Bickel, both of Mishawaka; six great-grandchildren, Tristin and Jullien McLean, Alexis and Noah Sanders, all of Forest, John T. Faulkner of Edwardsburg and Jada A. Davis of South Bend; three brothers, Harold (Gertrude) Johnson of Lakeland, Fla., Jack (Joyce) Divens of South Bend and Jerry (Delores) Divens of Lakeville; and by two sisters, Phyllis Church of South Bend and Nancy (Jesse) Hann of Mishawaka. She was preceded in death by her father, Louis Divens in 1989, and by her mother, Marjorie (Hazelip) Divens in 1965.

JoAnn and Donald were foster parents for the Indiana Welfare Department for over 10 years. JoAnn was also a Girl Scout Leader for the Singing Sands Council. Her children and grandchildren will remember her for her songs and stories. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all who knew her. She loved her family and always cared for them. She also babysat children most of her life. She had a deep love for children.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the Bubb Funeral Chapel north, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Thursday, with Rev. Dale Speckman officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.