Joanne E. Downs

Joanne E. (Lewis) Downs, age 86, 237 W. Sixth St., Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at 7:59 p. m. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Geisinger Columbia Montour Hospice At Maria Hall, Danville.

Born in Bear Gap on December 6, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Norton H. and Vera G. (Dudy) Lewis. She spent most of her life in the Bloomsburg area and was a 1948 graduate of Bloomsburg High School.

Joanne was a successful real estate agent for many years. She began her career working for Century 21 Real Estate and then affiliated with the former Lutz Agency where she remained until retiring.

She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Espy. She also was a member of the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436; the Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary; Red Hat Society; Benton VFW Post 8317; and the Sonestown American Legion.

Joanne was an avid Penn State fan, as well as of the Pittsburgh Steelers. She enjoyed traveling, visiting casinos, golfing, playing cards, hunting, fishing and especially spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Harold Downs;  a son, Timothy H. Downs on Dec. 31, 2011; a grandson, Timothy M. Downs on Sept. 24, 1985; and by her only sibling, Janet L. DeFrain.

Surviving are two sons: John M. Downs, Stillwater; Daniel N. L. Downs, and his wife Susan,  Benton; eight grandchildren: Katie Downs, Millville; Kyle Downs, and his wife Tomara; Alli Downs; Michael Downs, all of Bloomsburg; Stephanie, wife of Vincent Harp, Catawissa; Danny Downs and Laurel Downs, Bloomsburg; Richie Downs, Benton; five great-grandchildren; one niece and one nephew.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1 p. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, with her pastor, Caleb J. Fritz officiating. Interment in Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge. Friends may call on Saturday from 11 a. m. to 1 p. m.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 2351 Old Berwick Rd., Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or to the American Cancer Society, 1948 E. Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701.