On Friday May 31, 2024 Earth lost a beautiful soul and Heaven gained an Angel when Joann (Crawford) Eller went home to her Lord. She was born June 16, 1936 in Harlan, KS at home the daughter of Gerald and Avis Crawford. Joann grew up in Gaylord, KS and graduated from Gaylord High School. She married Jim Eller November 25, 1956 in Gaylord at the Nazerene Church, they moved to Hays, KS where Jim attended Fort Hays State University, who with Jo's help attained a BS in Education and later an MS in Counseling. They lived in Kirwin, KS and Long Island, KS before moving to Sylvan Grove, KS where they lived for over 50 years recently moving to Lucas, KS. Joann was a caregiver at the very core of her being, loving and caring for many children over several decades as a daycare provider and taking care of Jim in the last years of her life. Joann loved her Lord and working with children and combined that by being a long time teacher of Vacation Bible School. She joined the Sylvan Presbyterian Church in 1967 and worked in the Sylvan Library. Joann was always a loyal friend and loving wife, mom and grandma supporting anyone who came to her needing an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on. And, of course, a hug before leaving. They always left knowing someone loved them unconditionally and forgave as Jesus would. One of her favorite pasttimes was watching her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in activities especially playing sports (even volleyball which made her very nervous.) She could be seen nervously walking the hallways and sidelines during close games and around the track cheering during races. She and Jim were a known by all the friends of their grandkids as Grandma Jo and Grandpa Jim because they were at so many of their activities everyone knew them.
Joann was a woman of deep faith drawing strength from her love of God and she is home and at peace in Heaven. She is survived by her husband of 67 years Jim Eller; three daughters, Sheree Poskey and husband Mitch of Lawrence, KS, Kristi Mettlen and husband Wes of Lucas, KS, and Heidi Gillespie of Chase, KS; ten grandchildren Shane Mettlen and wife Jennifer, Clay Mettlen and wife Stephanie, Christopher Poskey and wife Sara, Sara (Mettlen) Smith and husband Chris, Jordan Poskey and wife Jeni, CJ Mettlen and wife Lindsay, Jamie Gillespie, Chelsee Poskey, Sierra Gillespie, and Breahna (Gillespie) Crawford and husband Jordan; and 20 (soon to be 21) great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at the mortuary in Sylvan Grove on Wednesday, June 5 from 4 to 8.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 6 at 2:00 pm at the Sylvan Grove Presbyterian Church with Sharon Ringler and Steve Boor presiding.
She will be laid to rest in the Sylvan Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Sylvan Grove Public Library and the Sylvan Presbyterian Church for Vacation Bible School. Rest in Peace our beautiful Guardian Angel.