JoAnn Hutchings Pickerel
1932-2013

JoAnn Hutchings Pickerel, 80, formerly of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 after a long, courageous battle. She was born November 24, 1932. Her parents were Chester and Gladys (Wright) Hutchings.
JoAnn was married to Jerome A. Pickerel (deceased) and together they raised three daughters.
She attended Hosea Elementary, Benton High School, and St. Luke’s Nursing School. JoAnn had a long and successful career as a nurse serving at different times at Methodist Hospital, State Hospital, Sister’s Hospital and as the Director of Nursing, she was instrumental in the design of Heartland East. In addition JoAnn proudly served as the President of the Missouri Nurses Association.
Friendships were essential to JoAnn including her sisters-in-law, her nearly lifelong participation in CAJ, her numerous close classmates from St. Luke’s and colleagues throughout her nursing career. Upon retirement JoAnn and Jerry moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas where they established new friends and graciously welcomed the visits of family and others.
In addition to her passion for nursing, JoAnn enjoyed sewing, cooking, traveling and shopping.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, William “Bill” Hutchings.
Survivors: daughters, Becky Pickerel (Rick) Breit, Liberty, Missouri, Amy Pickerel (Bedford) Moss, Irving, Texas, Carrie Pickerel (Irvin) Brooks, Liberty, Missouri; five grandchildren, Ericka Breit (Kyle) Eiserer, Kansas City, Missouri, Jerod Breit, St. Louis, Missouri, Michaela and Makana Brooks, Liberty, Missouri, Jackson Moss, Irving, Texas; and many other loving family members.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, St. James Catholic Church. The family will receive friends 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, with a sharing of memories at 6:30 P.M. and a rosary at 6:00 P.M., where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to either Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org) or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care (kansascityhospice.org). Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Jessie Lou Diggs, 89, Skidmore, Missouri died Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at Golden Living Care, Maryville, Missouri.

Lou was born, August 10, 1923 in Skidmore, Missouri and was the daughter of Myron and Jessie Mildred Dawson Newton.

She attended Skidmore High School , was a cook at Nodaway Holt Schools for 20 years, owned and operated Lou’s Diner for 21 years in Skidmore, and was a member of the Skidmore Christian Church.

On August 19, 1939, Lou married Fred Lester Diggs, in Wathena, Kansas who preceded her in death April 22, 1977.

Mrs. Diggs was preceded in death by daughter Anita Brown, sisters Judy Flynn, Leona Newton, Beth Bonner and Dixie Lea Collin, and brothers Homer, Fred, Zeke, Jerry, Myron, George, and Hooker Newton.

She is survived by a special son-in-law Don Brown, sons Gary Diggs, Walker, Missouri,Terry Diggs, Skidmore, Bradley Diggs, Chillicothe, MO, daughter Linda Fairchild, Chillicothe, sisters Mary Alice Johnson, Skidmore, Inez Boyer, St. Joseph, and 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

A graveside service and burial will be held 11 AM, Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Skidmore.

Memorial may be directed to the Hillcrest Cemetery, Skidmore.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com