Joan Frances Edwards

Joan Frances Edwards age 84 of Custer passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, November 29, 2025 with her family by her side. Joan was born on September 29, 1941 in Ludington, the daughter of Harry and Mary (Wing) Whitaker and graduated from Custer High School with the class of 1959. On July 11, 1959 she married the love of her life, Robert Edwards at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer, and they celebrated 57 years together before Robert preceded her in death in 2017. When they married, Robert had just begun his career serving in the United States Coast Guard which took them to stations from coast to coast. Joan was a very supportive military wife and along with caring for their family, she helped provide extra income wherever she could, sometimes as a child care provider, many times working seasonal jobs in the areas Robert was stationed. After Robert retired and they moved back to Custer, Joan continued working here and there, but her greatest joy was providing a home for her children and grandchildren. In her later years, she assisted her daughter Tammy in her ministry at Beacon Ministries. Joan had the gift of hospitality and with her passion for cooking, always made sure her friends and family were well cared for. She wore the title of “Gramma and GiGi” very well and loved it when anyone would refer to her as such. Along with her husband Robert, Joan was also preceded in death by her daughter Denise in 2005; her parents; her brother Joe Whitaker; and her sisters Jane Myer and Suzy VanderWall. Joan will be greatly missed by her children Rev. Tammy (Ron) Bacon, and Troy (Jennifer) Edwards; her grandchildren Mindy (Shaun) Reed, Dan (Jennifer) Bacon, Adam Edwards, Austyn Keson, Zac and Makana Edwards, Adam and Carter Knee; her great-grandchildren Kirsten, Haley, and Zoe Bacon, Toby and Max Reed, Tessa and Cohen Keson; her brother Daniel (Christine) Whitaker, her sisters-in-laws Cheryl Edwards, Linda Whitaker, Carol Edwards, and Cathy Brown; and her brothers-in-law J.R. Linteman, Ed Myer, and Jerry VanderWall; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many great friends, especially her church family at Beacon Ministries. Funeral services will be held for Joan at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 6 at Beacon Ministries with a time of fellowship to follow. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Custer next spring. Those who wish to honor Joan with a memorial donation are asked to please consider helping her family with funeral expenses.

Joan Frances Edwards

September 29, 1941 - November 29, 2025