JoAnn Margaret Elkins' Obituary
JoAnn Margaret Elkins, age 84, of Spring Lake passed away at AMG Specialty Hospital in Greenfield, Indiana on Friday, December 5, 2025. She was born October 17, 1941, in Grand Haven, Michigan to Everett Milton and Genevieve Bernice (Duram) Barding. She married Marvin Lee Elkins on May 7, 1960, at Grace Christian Reformed Church, after the two were introduced on a blind date.
JoAnn graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. She went on to become a Licensed Cosmetologist. When she and Marvin started their family, she decided to take the most important job of all, raising her family at home. JoAnn was a longtime member of Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church where she was active in Calvinettes, served as a Sunday School teacher, and sang in the choir. She was a great seamstress, sewing and making items to be given away to those in need. JoAnn also was a very good cook and baker, and enjoyed flower gardening and camping.
JoAnn is lovingly remembered by her husband, Marvin Elkins; two daughters, Bobbi Jo Christensen and Bernice (Michael) Whited; two sons, Todd Elkins and Joel Elkins; five grandchildren: Jessica (Paul) Krause – Wiwi, Adam (Jessica Branch) Krause, Noah (Libby) Whited, Isaac (Julia) Whited and Jaylin Elkins; five great-grandchildren: Cohen Wiwi, Evan Krause, William Wiwi, Judah Krause and Eloise Whited; two brothers, Richard Barding and Roger Barding; and sister-in-law, Linda Barding. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Marva Jo Elkins, two sisters, Betty Sheridan and Beverly Wisniewski, her brother, James “Jim” Barding, and son-in-law, Daniel Christensen.
The funeral for JoAnn will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 12, 2025, at Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Brett Pollema officiating. Friends may meet the family an hour prior to the funeral at church. Interment will be in Spring Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions in JoAnn’s name may be given to Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church.
Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
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