Joann McClendon

Mrs Joann McClendon (née Breech) died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on 1 June in South Haven, Michigan at the age of 92.

Joann is survived by her sister Adele Breech, children, Mark (and Peggy) McClendon and Holly (Vearl) Beck; grandchildren Adele Beck, Meghan (Scott) Ellis, Lois (Steve) Ewing, and Daniel (and Michelle) McClendon; and great grandchildren Ethan, Eric, and Errol Ewing, Harley, Lola and Fiona Ellis, and Wiley and Nora McClendon. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph Phlemister Clevenger Jr (father), Esther Kitty Tinsley (mother), and Donald Todd Breech (step-father); brothers Donald and James Breech; husband Robert Edwin McClendon, and son Robert Craig McClendon.

Joann was born on 25 July 1926 in Portales, New Mexico to Joseph and Esther Clevenger.  Following the death of her father in 1928, her mother remarried Donald Breech, who raised Joann as his own. She graduated from The University of New Mexico in 1946 with a degree in education, and again in 1970 with her Masters in Science Education.  She met Robert McClendon on 7 November 1943 at a Fall mixer dance at the University.  They married upon his return from Naval Service in WWII on 28 July 1946. The couple settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico and welcomed three children into their home, Mark, Holly and Craig.  The family moved around the country, living in Arizona, California and Illinois before Joann and Bob settled in South Haven, Michigan in 1978.  Her children remember her as a strong, determined and highly intelligent woman of great faith, who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

Joann was an accomplished tailor and art aficionado.  Her daughter, an artist herself, often said that Joann could, with an unerring eye, pick out the best painting in any room. She was a generous individual who loved travel and who was passionate about education, helping numerous people attain higher education.  She was an active and dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and often volunteered at The Family History Center.

A memorial is scheduled for 4-6 pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home (1076 S Bailey Ave, South Haven), with a reception to follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (5272 73.5 St, South Haven). All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joann’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the South Haven Maritime Museum (http://www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/) or LDS Humanitarian Services (https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services).  The family would like to thank Dr Stephan Dallas for his years of compassionate care of both Joann and Bob McClendon.