Joan M. Shively

Joan Mary (Lenhart) Shively died peacefully in her home in Greenbush, MI on Monday, January 11, 2021. Joan was born April 3, 1930 to John (Jack) and Mary Lenhart at St. Mary Nazareth Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. She was raised in Park Ridge and Harvard Illinois, and spent her adult life living in Pennsylvania, California, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. She graduated from Illinois State Normal University earning a degree in Education. Joan taught elementary school before her full time job raising 6 children. Joan was talented in many ways and had a wide variety of interests. She immersed herself in the arts and literature appreciating many forms. Joan was dedicated to the Dragonfly Art Gallery for many years, co-owner of the Wooden Nickel Antique Store, member of the Friends of the Library and Alcona Library Book Club. She loved to learn, was an avid reader, and supported all endeavors of the Alcona County Library. Joan was a firm believer in the preservation of wetlands and our natural world. As a child and throughout her adult life she was at home in the outdoors, appreciating wildlife, flora, and fauna. She was an avid gardener whose knowledge was boundless and took great joy in nature’s beauty. First and foremost Joan relished her role as mother, aunt, grandmother, friend, and had a strong sense of community responsibility. She was extremely proud and felt privileged to be a member of her generation because of the hardship lessons, family values, and tenacity. Joan is survived by her children: Joseph Shively, Alpena, MI; Elle Button (Jerry), Greenbush, MI, John Shively, Columbus, OH; Andrew Shively (Danielle), Jeffersonville, VT; 7 grandchildren: Mary Button Vance (Garrick), TX; Katy Button Santos (Jon), CA; Emma Havens, IL; Karl Havens, CA; Olivia Shively, ID, Samuel Shively, CA; and Nicholas Shively, CA. Joan has many surviving nieces and nephews including Tom Deam (Charlene), Joan Deam, Patricia (Joe) Franklin, Sheila Deam, Brian Deam (Maureen), John Lenhart (Lisa), Debbie Lenhart Kerr. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Wyant Joseph Shively, son Samuel B. Shively, son Charles Shively, and daughter in law Kim Havens Shively. Cremation arrangements will be made through Gilles Funeral Home, Lincoln, MI. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at the family farm when COVID allows safe gatherings. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made to Hospice Angels, www.hospiceangels.org, or the Alcona Friends of the Library. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan M. Shively, please visit our flower store.