Jo Ann Deer

JoAnn Deer, 76, was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana to the late Thaddeus and Charlotte (Jackson) Barr.  As a youth, she enjoyed dance and band. She excelled in school, even skipped a grade and later became valedictorian at Garfield High School class of 1963. While studying to get her Bachelor’s of Arts at Indiana State University to become a teacher, she was the president of her sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha and was an avid bowler bowling in many leagues. She was an active member in the Alpha Zeta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an organization for women educators. Other hobbies she enjoyed throughout life were playing euchre, strategic games and puzzles, cake decorating, ceramics, gardening and sewing. She was a sports fanatic and watched as many sporting events as she could. While her favorite sport teams to watch were the Purdue Boilermakers, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers, her favorite players and sporting events to watch were that of her children and grandchildren. Even though her world revolved around her children and grandchildren, she dedicated the rest of her time to serving others with over 30 years of teaching, most of which were at James A Garfield School 31 and volunteered at various organizations including the Harvest Food Pantry. She was loved and will be missed by many.  She was a member of the Journey Church in Avon.  She is survived by a son, Eric A. Deer; a daughter, Amy S. Deer; a brother, John (Jennifer) Barr; and 2 grandchildren, Eric H. and Evan C. Deer.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 5, 2023 also in the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood.