Lakeland – Eva JoAnn Hellwig, 88, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2017. Born August 13, 1929, to Charles and Eva Erhardt in Hammond, Indiana. Known by family and friends as “JoAnn”. She moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1989, from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
JoAnn worked at Junior Toy Company in Indiana where she met her husband of 64 years, Karl Dean Hellwig who preceded her in death in 2012.
JoAnn’s favorite hobby was needle point. She was active in Eastern Star and a Girl Scout Leader in her early years. She was a member of Crystal Lake United Methodist Church.
Also preceding JoAnn in death was her son, Karl “Rick” Hellwig and two granddaughters, Michelle Hellwig and Brianna Miller.
JoAnn is survived by her five children, Karyl (James) McCullough of Lakeland, FL, Pamela Howe of Easley, SC, Linda (James) Miller of Hudsonville, MI, Beth (Michael) Miller of Grand Rapids, MI and Kerry Hellwig of Hutto, TX; grandchildren, Amy McCullough Maratea, Tom McCullough, Darrin McCullough, Ed Howe, Christina Howe Gerberich, Jennifer Miller Weirsma, Jeff Miller, Brian Miller, Nicole Hellwig Smith, Danielle Kolbe and twelve great grandchildren; sister, Nona (William) Walsko of Michigan City, IN and brother, Milton Erhardt of Dolton, IL.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 10 a.m., at Crystal Lake United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Lakeland Memorial Gardens.
In lieu flowers contributions may be made to: Cornerstone Hospice Lakeland or Crystal Lake United Methodist Church.
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