JoAnne E. (Gardner) Tezich

JoAnne E. Tezich, 91, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at 8:09 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 at her home, surrounded by family.

She was born March 4, 1930 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of the late Bennett and Myrtle (Vannatta) Gardner. She lived in South Bend most of her life. On June 2, 1950, JoAnne married George J. Tezich, known to many in the South Bend area as “Smiling George.” They enjoyed 58 years together until George’s passing on January 24, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Val Trinkley and brother, Robert Gardner.

JoAnne worked as a teacher for Christ the King Catholic School in South Bend for twelve years, retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Matthew and Christ Child Society.

An avid gardener and competitive gamer, JoAnne played bridge for decades, loved card games, and played the crossword daily. She took joy in multiple creative pursuits, including piano, painting ceramics, and knitting. Over the years, her family received Christmas ornaments, santas and trees, sweaters, mittens, washcloths and more. She was unceasingly generous, curious, and filled with loving kindness. We will miss her.  

 JoAnne is survived by her daughter Ruth Trinkley of Nappanee, IN; and three sons, Gregory (Deborah) Tezich of Albequerque, NM; Robert Tezich; and George (Deborah) Tezich both of South Bend. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, Stephanie Tezich, Sarah (Chris von der Mahden) Tezich, Rachel (Benjamin) Trinkley, Layne (Mark) Crawford, Neil (Amanda) Trinkley, Matthew Tezich, Jennifer (Justin) Janicki, Amanda (Thomas) Philson, Jordan (Daniel)Emmart-Kramer, and Alex (Megan) Emmart, along with twelve great-grandchildren,Jacelynn (Jahnoi Oddman) Townsend, Jackson Chlebke, Ezra Emmart Kramer, Lucy Emmart Kramer,Maxwell Janicki, Weston Janicki, Paul Bradfield, Caius von der Mehden, Nia von der Mehden, Atreus von der Mehden, Saoirse Crawford, Thomas Crawford, and three great-great grandchildren, Zane Townsend, Zyla Oddman, and Zyan Oddman,

Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, in the mausoleum at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. There will be a public Memorial Service at a later date. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Tezich may be offered to Christ Child Society, P.O. Box 1286, South Bend, IN 46624. The Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is assisting the Tezich family with arrangements. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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