Obituary for JoAnne M. Lavanant

JoAnne M. (Franzel) Lavanant, 60, of Allentown, formerly of Trenton, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 27, 2019 in her residence, surrounded by her family. Born in Detroit, MI, JoAnne was a daughter of the late Eugene K. and Sylvia P. (Jenerou) Franzel. She was a member of Saint Ann’s R.C. Church, Emmaus, and was employed by Sanofi Pharmaceutical Company. JoAnne also worked as a Registered Nurse in the NICU at University Hospital in Michigan for many years.

She was a graduate of Trenton High School, Trenton, MI, Wayne County Community College and Davenport University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master’s in Business Administration degrees. JoAnne had a strong love for animals, especially dogs. She adored her grandchildren and will be deeply missed by her entire family.

JoAnne is survived by her husband, Robert Lavanant; five children, Michael James Reifsnider, Southgate, MI, Ryan Christian-Faith Reifsnider, Allentown, PA, Mark Eugene Reifsnider, husband of Xochil Prez, Taylor, MI, Lauren Ashleigh (Reifsnider), wife of Brandon Yenser, Fleetwood, PA, and Christopher John Sorich, Allentown, PA; 10 grandchildren, Loren, Avery, Connor, Trystan, Owen, Dominic, Jessika, Hayden, Caleb and Beckett; two sisters, Judy Gregg and Sheryl Garton; two brothers, Terry Franzel and Larry Franzel; and her four-legged companion, Shelby.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Ann’s R.C. Church, 415 S. 6th Street, Emmaus, with Reverend Msgr. Edward J. Coyle, Celebrant.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday, June 2, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, PA, and again on Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the church.

Services will continue on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 30895 W. Huron River Drive, Flat Rock, Michigan, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. JoAnne will be taken by Horse-Drawn Carriage to Michigan Memorial Park for interment.

The family requests contributions be made in JoAnne’s memory to The ASPCA, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929 or online at www.aspca.org/donate OR Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or online at www.pancan.org/donate.

Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements in Pennsylvania. Memories and condolences may be recorded at www.Ludwickfh.com.