Joann Ruby Calkins

JoAnn Ruby Armentrout Calkin's Brindle age 85 passed away on August 11, 2019 at St. Luke's Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania. JoAnn was born the daughter of William Russell and Imajean (Dunkel) Armentrout, June 28, 1934 at the family home on Adams Road, Clare, Michigan. Following graduation from Clare High School 1951, JoAnn was united in marriage to James Wilson Calkins from 1952 to 1980. To this union were born Russell James, Jill Ann and Cindy Jo. After the children were born she attended and graduated from Delta College School of nursing and completed a BS and MA from Central Michigan University. Her nursing career started at Midland Hospital including instructor in School of Practical Nursing, Gladwin Hospital, Central Michigan Hospital-Mt.Pleasant, Oaklawn Hospital (Marshall), Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital, Dunn, North Carolina and retirement years at VNA/Hospice of Monroe county of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The majority of years were spent in nursing administration. JoAnn was active in professional leadership programs at the state and local levels promoting nursing professionalism, community healthcare and personal health care. Church membership and respective communities wherever she lived was significant in her roles as Sunday School teacher, small group leader, chaplaincy programs in hospitals, was a Certified Lay Minister in N.C. and active leadership of the Walk to Emmaus. JoAnn enjoyed and maintain lifelong friends from every community where she lived. She loved to travel, read, enjoyed theater and in later years had a hobby of home-crafted greeting cards. Her greatest joy was involvement of family and friends and how she could be of encouragement to them. In 1983 she was united in marriage to Warren Arthur Brindle of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. They spent his retirement years in North Carolina until his death in 1991. Her mission in life was servanthood to Christ and others. She is survived by children Jill Ann Baker (Bill) of Higgins Lake, MI, Cindy Jo Bontempo (Richard) of Brodheadsville, PA; Step-children Douglas Brindle, Craig Brindle and Karen Brindle; Step-granddaughter Ashley; Grandchildren Erica Baker Blair, Tracey Calkins Beck (Michael), Kayla Calkins, Kortnee Calkins, Vincent (Felicia), Russell Bontempo and great-grandchildren Ella, Clara Grant Beck Van Lyons, many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are brother Gareld Armentrout and sister-in-law Ethel Brindle Cross of Andover, MA. She was predeceased by a son, Russell Calkins; sister, Glenda Rose Armentrout, grandson, William "Billy" James Baker and parents Russell and Imajean. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 1 p.m. Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, Burial was at Arthur Center Cemetery in Clare Michigan. Contributions to Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, 547 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360; VNA/Hospice of Monroe County now Lehigh Valley Home Hospice; Mountain Top Walk to Emmaus c/o Karen McClincey, Treasurer 343 Avi Drive Arbutis, Pennsylvania 18011.