Joanne May


Joanne May, 83, of Marshall, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the home of her son, Russ.

She was born on November 17, 1939, to Floyd and Margaret (Barber) Rounds in Vermontville, Michigan.
Joanne’s marriage was to Robert Rugg which ended in divorce. Her second marriage was to Ronald May, sadly he passed away on November 7, 2022. She worked as a long time Hair Stylist in the Bellevue area, and she was a school bus driver for Bellevue as well.

Joanne was a very active lady and enjoyed being on the go whether it was going out to dinner at the Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana or Red Lobster in Battle Creek or visiting casinos. She enjoyed karaoke, word search puzzles and traveling. Joanne so looked forward to the Monday craft class with her sisters and afterwards all of them going to lunch. She made her own cakes, dishcloths, and Christmas ornaments which she would give to the family. Joanne always enjoyed a cup of coffee with friends and family as she wanted to visit and ask how you were doing. She will be missed for her kind and gracious ways and by her family that she cherished.

Joanne is survived by her loving children, Ginger (Terry) Berkimer of Battle Creek, Michigan, Alan (Mary) Rugg of Battle Creek, Michigan and Russ (Tonya) Rugg of Bellevue, Michigan; her stepchildren, Don Paul (Kelly) Scheidel of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kevin May of Menominee, Wisconsin and Dale (Chrissy) May of Menominee, Wisconsin; her sisters, Elsie Wolever of Vermontville, Michigan and Ardean (Archie) Gonser of Vermontville, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Robert Rugg, her second husband, Ronald May and her daughter, Debbie Thomason.

Visitation was held Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 205 N. Elizabeth St., Bellevue, Michigan 49021. Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the First Baptist Church – Bellevue with Pastor Don Francis officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or to Oaklawn Hospice (13444 Preston Dr., Marshall, MI 49068).

Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.