Johanna "Jo" Overton

Johanna Overton, 81, of Cheney, passed away Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in Spokane.

Overton was born May 1, 1935 in Queens, N.Y. to August and Stephania Brendecke, young immigrants from Germany and Hungary, who later purchased a farm house in the Catskill Mountains and became longtime residents of Windham, N.Y.

She was a 1953 graduate of Windham Ashland Jewett Central School and graduated with a nursing degree in 1956 from the University of Rochester. She then married a young teacher, David Berg Overton, on Nov. 23, 1963 in New York City.

As well as being a wife and mother of three, Jo applied her professional nursing skills throughout most of the rest of her life, including for several local hospitals and the school district, Greene County Public Health, infection control and then as a hospice intake nurse.

Overton was an active pastor's wife for many years, working side by side with her husband to found the Mitchell Hollow Mission Church in 1976 and often accompanying him to India to visit their friends and teach young ladies.

Her devotion to God was evident to everyone who knew her. She was a committed Christian who always remained faithful to praying for her family and many other people who would pass through her life. She was a godly example to her children and to so many others, leaving behind a strong legacy of faith.

Johanna was preceded in death by Dave, her loving husband of 50 years. She is survived by a daughter Elizabeth (Mitchell) Calmes of Tanzania, Africa; son Edward (Pam) Overton of Westhampton, N.J.; daughter Susan (Todd) Luce of Cheney; and her sister Stephania (Rudiger) Klein as well as 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Her family will miss her greatly, but are greatly comforted to know that Johanna is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven together with Dave. Her faith and hope are now realized.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

A memorial will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Cheney Community Church on Jan. 22 after the morning services.