Louanna Helen Hemerling

Louanna Helen (Schiebel) Hemerling, 86 of St. Joseph, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville, with her family by her side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI, with Rev. Catherine Batten Balk officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Louanna’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Louanna was born on May 14, 1930 in St. Joseph, MI to Louis and Helen (Dunse) Schiebel. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, class of 1948. On September 10, 1949 she married Wesley N. Hemerling at a ceremony in St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, St. Joseph. Louanna was an active lifelong member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ where she was also baptized and confirmed. She was involved in several activities at the church such as being a Sunday School Teacher, Nursery Chairman, Youth Fellowship Advisor, Women’s Fellowship Committees and President. The Hemerling’s are fans of University of Michigan Football and for over thirty five years they loved attending games and tailgating with their family and many friends. Go Blue! She also enjoyed cooking, sewing and being in her yard and flower garden. Louanna and her family greatly appreciated the love and compassion of her step-mother, Helen Neubauer Schiebel, “Grandma Schiebel”. For years Louanna and her canine “Best Buddy Andy” shared a very special compassionate relationship. Andy passed away June 25 of this year. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, sharing the successes of the children, grandchildren and now, great grandchildren. Louanna is survived by her husband of 67 years, Wesley; children, Nancy (Chuck) Van Horn of Hancock, NH, Allen (Sandy) Hemerling of Stevensville and Richard (Peggy) Hemerling of Hastings, MI; granddaughters, Amy (Bob) Biggins of St. Joseph, Laura (Matt) Jackson of Allendale, MI, Lindsay (Jed) Nichols of Hastings, MI and Erin (Kyle) Quada of Ballston Spa, NY; great grandchildren, Riley, Alexandra and Emily Biggins all of St. Joseph, Abigail and Lucas Jackson of Allendale, Zane Quada of Ballston Spa, NY and one on the way; step grandchildren, Brian (Jackie) Van Horn of Stevensville and Melissa Hunter of Wyoming and step-great grandchildren, Michael and Timothy Van Horn of Stevensville and Josie Hunter of Wyoming.