The Payson Roundup / Obituaries

Joanne Mary Bessler

Joanne Mary Bessler, 64, of Payson, died at home Oct. 13, 2009. She was born Sept. 4, 1945 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She and Jerry Bessler married on July 21, 1973.
Mrs. Bessler graduated with a bachelor’s of arts degree in education from the University of California, Long Beach. She then began a 35-year career of teaching children, which gave her much satisfaction. Her love of children made her teaching all the more worthwhile. She taught fifth-grade at Julia Randall Elementary School in Payson, where she retired in 2006.
Surviving are her husband, Jerry; stepdaughter, Valerie; stepson, David; and many students, friends and fellow educators who were blessed in knowing her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 at St Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Payson with a luncheon following the service.