Joann D. Vachavake

JoAnn D. Vachavake, 87, of Merrill, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

JoAnn was born October 31, 1936, in Merrill, daughter of the late Hattie (Skofronek) and George Ament Jr. She married Ronald Vachavake on June 2, 1956, in Merrill. He survives. JoAnn was a member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, watching the kids’ baseball games, reading, and working on word puzzles and sudoku. She also enjoyed playing scrabble and having tournaments with her sister and mother and playing cards, her favorite being cribbage.

Survivors include her husband, Ronald Vachavake of Merrill; daughters, Susan (Mark) Baumann of New Franken, WI and Kathryn (Carl) Hass of Merrill; sons, Mark Vachavake of Merrill, David (Darla) Vachavake of Merrill, and Jim (Sandy) Vachavake of Wausau; daughter-in-law, Sharon Vachavake of Wausau; 25 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Sandra Dunn of Conyers, GA. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Hattie and George Ament Jr.; son, Richard ‘Rick’ Vachavake; sisters and brothers-in-law, Elaine (Howard) Alexander and Joyce (George) OKray; and brothers-in-law, Dennis Vachavake and James Dunn.

A memorial service for JoAnn will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. Rev. Michael Southcombe will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Thursday at the church. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, for the kind and compassionate care they provided to the entire family during JoAnn’s stay.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com