JoAn Carter Obituary

JoAn was born at home on April 16, 1933 to Ryno and Erma Lottman in Laura, IL., the youngest of four children. Her early life was spent on her parents' rural dairy farm, without running water and attending a one-room schoolhouse before moving into town for high school. She was a very devout Catholic, and her intention was to become a nun. But Martin (Marty) Carter captured her heart, and they were married February 9, 1952 in Peoria, IL. She was primarily a homemaker raising three children and volunteering with charities in the area. She was especially active with St. Jude’s Children's Research, even meeting Danny Thomas, as well as with the local Pro-Life organization. Marty's job transfer took the family to Waterloo, Belgium for almost six years, during which she enjoyed traveling to many European countries. Retirement took her to Naples, FL. where once again she involved herself in charity work, primarily focusing on Pro-Life issues. JoAn enjoyed photography, documenting her trip to Ethiopia to visit Grace Center, an organization very dear to her. Tennis, cooking, genealogy and family time brought her tremendous joy. She was predeceased by her husband in 2004. Survivors include her children David (Pauletta) Carter, Anne (John) Newsam, and Anthony Carter; grandchildren Earl and Jesse (Jennifer) Carter, Carlie (Ronnie) Haar, Katie (Max) Layman, Jessica, Elizabeth and Chloe Carter, and great-grandchildren Camden, Tanner, Ronnie, Patrick and Taylor. She lived a long and fruitful life, and her beautiful spirit, wisdom, generosity, guidance and gentle nature were just a few of the blessings bestowed on all who knew her, and we are better for it. JoAn was called home on July 1, 2025. She left an indelible mark on us all, and she will be greatly missed. May God Bless Her. Her funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road in Naples, Florida 34113 on Wednesday July 16 at 10:00 A.M. Charitable donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children's Research at www.stjude.org, Grace Center Foundation www.gracecenterfoundation.org or P.O. Box 112692 Naples, FL. 34108 or to Action for Life Inc. Naples, FL www.actionforlife.org or P.O. Box 8206 Naples, FL. 34101