Ms. Jo Anne Cobbum, 96, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, following an extended illness on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:08 p.m. at the Center for Hospice Care Esther House in Elkhart.

She was born on June 29, 1929, right on the family farm in Elkhart, to the late Rufus H. and Ruth (Schava) Price. Growing up during simpler times on the farm instilled in Jo Anne values of hard work, responsibility, and appreciation for life's small blessings. The fields and barns became her classroom, and under the watchful care of her parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents, she learned lessons that would shape her entire life. Whether gathering eggs at sunrise, helping in the garden, or lending a hand with chores, Jo Anne embraced farm life with joy and curiosity. Those early years nurtured her independence, her resilience, and her down-to-earth kindness.

She later married the love of her life, Dale Cobbum, in Elkhart, and together they built a life anchored in devotion to family and simple pleasures. Their marriage was a partnership full of laughter and shared values until Dale's passing in 1997. Jo Anne was also preceded in death by her dear sister, Betty D. Hale.

Jo Anne's greatest joy, beyond family and friends, was found in the kitchen. She was nothing short of a gifted baker and chef—though she never called it talent, only love. Cooking was Jo Anne's way of caring for people, her personal love language, and her meals became legendary among family and neighbors. With a pinch of creativity and a heart full of generosity, she could take the humblest pantry ingredients and turn them into feasts worthy of celebration. Her pies, breads, and Sunday dinners were more than just food—they were warm embraces, memories in the making, and traditions that live on.

She especially loved holiday gatherings, where her kitchen became the heart of the home. She and her children delighted in watching cooking shows together, laughing, debating recipes, and eagerly trying out new techniques that would soon grace the family table. Her daughter, Marcie, has inherited Jo Anne's treasured cookbook collection and carries forward the family legacy of producing hearty, comforting, and unforgettable meals that always taste of love.

Jo Anne also enjoyed quiet pastimes such as reading, and she found friendship and fellowship as a member of the Women of the Moose. Yet it was her natural warmth, her hospitality, and her ability to make everyone feel like family that will be most remembered.

She leaves behind her son, Garry W. Cobbum of Bristol; her daughter, Marcie (Stephen) Hayes of Elkhart; her beloved granddaughter, Paige E. Alden of Elkhart; and a wide circle of extended family and cherished friends, including Betty Smith, Kimi Jackson, and niece Helen Howard. Each of them carries stories and memories of Jo Anne's kindness, laughter, and ever-open door.

In accordance with Jo Anne's wishes, cremation has taken place with the assistance of Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart.

Though her presence will be deeply missed, Jo Anne's life remains a testament to the power of simple joys, good food, hard work, and unwavering love. Just as she fed so many with her meals, she nourished countless hearts with her generosity, her faith, and her spirit.