JoAnn Eloise Hurley

JoAnn Eloise Hurley of Tustin went home to be with our Lord on December 6, 2025. She was 84. JoAnn was born in New London, Wisconsin to Helen (nee Zellmer) and Merville Trader on July 11, 1941. She met her future husband, Ralph V. Hurley, Jr. at a dance in Jackson, Michigan while she was attending high school. The two married on her eighteenth birthday in 1959. They were together for a total of 64 years. JoAnn attended Ferris State University while raising two young children. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education. JoAnn found teaching to be very rewarding. She taught Business Office at the Wexford Missaukee Area Vocational Center for over 20 years. JoAnn also taught adult education classes for Baker Community College. She enjoyed gardening, studying Bible scripture and watching the Detroit Lions. JoAnn enjoyed attending church on a regular basis until her health began to fail. She sang in the choir, played bells and enjoyed fellowship with the church women’s group. JoAnn had a beautiful soprano voice that could be heard throughout the church during services. It was a source of great pride for her family. JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Dean) Thatcher of Laingsburg, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Rowena Hurley of the Philippines; brother, James (Cynthia) Trader of Green Bay, Wisconsin; three granddaughters, Morgan Thatcher, Loren (Matt) Hart, Katherine Zaratan and great-grandson, Teddy Hart; several nieces, nephews; special friends, Greg Long Jr. and Gregory Long III both of Tustin. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph Jr.; son, Ralph III; daughter, Debra and sisters, Delores Schroeder and Marian Magolski. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to Love INC of Wexford and Osceola Counties or your local humane society. A celebration of life will be held on May 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Reed City, Michigan with a luncheon to follow. Kindly RSVP to Elizabeth Thatcher 517-256-4266 or elizabethdeant@aol.com by April 18, 2026 if you are planning on attending. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

JoAnn Eloise Hurley

July 11, 1941 - December 6, 2025