JoAnne "Nan" Mae Holmes, 86, of Elkhart, passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital after a brief illness.

JoAnne was born on April 16, 1935 in Edwardsburg, MI to the late Millard S. and Helen M. (Griffin) Lantz. On May 22, 1954 in Angola, IN, she married Robert "Bowly" Johnson. He passed in 1986. She reunited with her high school sweetheart, Karl D. Holmes after 50 years. They were married on July 31, 2003 before his passing in 2020. She is preceded in death by two sons, Kirk and Mark; sister, Nancy Isbell and brother, Charlie Lantz.

JoAnne is survived by her daughter, Chris Hall; grandchildren, April Miller, Karl Miller, Mandy Hall and Colton Hall (Cortney Boomershine); great grandchildren, Kameron and Kendall Miller, Xadyn Hall and Ransym Ivens, all of Elkhart; sister, Pat (Tom) Hosler of Bristol; sister-in-law, Sheila Lantz of Mottville, MI and several nieces and nephews.

JoAnne graduated from Elkhart High School in 1953. After high school, she was a supervisor at Elkhart Credit Bureau. She and her husband, Bowly, founded Bowly's Crystal Bar in 1981.

"Nan" as she was affectionately known by so many, loved her family more than anything and enjoyed spending time with them especially around her pool. She never passed up a chance to watch her grandkids and great grandkids. She enjoyed trips to the casino with her lifelong best friend, Dotti Murphy. She enjoyed going to flea markets and attending auctions as well.

Nan was a friendly and generous person whom never met a stranger especially when it came to children.

A Gathering of family and friends of Nan will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at The "Billings" Gathering Place at 1231 (at the stand alone building on the North Side of the Funeral Home property) 1231 Johnson St., Elkhart, IN 46514 with a Celebration of Life Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 PM in the Event Center. Pastor Jeremy Sarber will officiate. Burial will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Elkhart County Humane Society, 54687 C.R. 19, Bristol, IN 46507.

For those that wish to send a condolence, share a memory or order flowers may do so at www.billingsfuneralhome.com