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April 9, 1940 — April 22, 2020

Martha JoAnne Bass, 80, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Wednesday evening, April 22, 2020, in the comfort of her family’s presence.

She was born April 9, 1940, in Calvin Center, Michigan, to the third of four children of John and Theolia Simpson Sr.

She married Milan “Mike” Bass on Sept. 5, 1958, in Calvin Township, Michigan. After 40 years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 1998.

JoAnne was a sweet woman of God that loved her husband, children and her church. She truly enjoyed sharing her testimony of how God filled her with the gift of the Holy Ghost in 1968 and the change it made in her life.

She served as an usher, sang in the choir, worked in the kitchen and never missed a service.

As she got older and was unable to go to church in the winter, she faithfully watched service on the church’s livestream.

JoAnne loved playing her favorite card game “Skip-bo,” playing “Words with Friends” with anyone that was willing to lose and working daily puzzles from the newspaper with her sisters.

Prayer was an important part of her life, and she never missed her daily morning prayer with her great grandsons. The one thing that gave her the most pride was when she was elevated to a Mother of the Church.

JoAnne will be greatly missed by family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Milana “Lonni” Bass; her son, Robert (Tanji) Bass Sr.; nine grandchildren, Nicole Lee, Adrian Lee, Alphonzo Lee, Ronald Sorsby, Stacey Turpin, Marcus Bass, Shantel Hobson, Roshonda Bass, Robert Bass Jr.; 21 great grandchildren; two sisters, Jacqueline “Jackie” Haines and Jane Scott; one brother, John C. Simpson Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Ruby Bass; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Milan “Tony” Bass and Ronald E. Bass.

Family and friends will gather on a date and at a time to be announced.

Mrs. Bass will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.

The family prefers contributions in memory of JoAnne be made to Christ Temple, 305 N. Second Street, Cassopolis, MI 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.