Joanna Rose (Pilant) Pease

Joanna Rose (Pilant) Pease, 91, of Terre Haute passed away under the loving care at the Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care on Sunday, November 26, 2023.  Her three surviving children, her daughter-in-law, grandchildren and close friends were with her in her final days.  She was born July 31, 1932 in Terre Haute to William Arthur and Rose Louise (Stearley) Pilant.

Survivors include her three children, Edward Allan Pease, Deborah Rose (Pease) Liebermann and Robert William Pease (Therese Anne (Lavery) Pease);  and grandchildren, Melissa Marie Giesen (Brian Giesen), Karen Ros Robertsdottir, Jennifer Therese Dunn (Jared Dunn), Stephen David Liebermann (Katelynn Moats Liebermann) and Matthew Edward Liebermann.  Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Nathan Sommer, Tyler Sommer, William Sommer, Nolan Geisen, Penrose Dunn, Emilia Dunn and Ava Liebermann.  She was preceded in death by her parents, William Arthur and Rose Louise (Stearley) Pilant;  her husband of over 50 years, Robert Richard Pease;  a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Pease;  a son-in-law, David Mansell Liebermann;  a sister, Ethel (Pilant) Sexton;  and three brothers, David Pilant, Norman Pilant and Paul Pilant.

Joanna was a graduate of State High School (May, 1950) and soon thereafter married Robert R. Pease whom she met at Locust Street EUB Church.  She was employed at Union Hospital starting in data processing in 1969 and advanced to lead the Data Processing organization before her retirement in 1994.

Joanna was active in her church where she sang in the choir most of her life, helped with fellowship groups and church events, helped her husband lead the youth group for many years and funded establishment of a softball field at Northside Community United Methodist Church.  She was active with children in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and was the House Mother for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Indiana State University for 25 years.  She has an endowed scholarship in her name at the fraternity, established two endowed academic scholarships at the ISU Foundation, was a regular contributor to Rose-Hulman and contributed to the establishment of a scholarship and capital campaign at Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Rose.

Joanna spent her entire life in Terre Haute.  She and Bob believed in the importance of raising their family in one place, and to be active in their church and community.  She was an active member of Locust Street Evangelical United Brethren Church and its successor, Grace United Methodist Church.  Joanna enjoyed home economics, especially baking, and was a tremendous cook.  She passed that love down to her children and grandchildren.  A large summer garden, followed by freezing and canning for the whole year, was an annual activity when the children were living there.

Funeral services will be conducted at 5:00 PM, Sunday, December 3, 2023 at the Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Center at 7th and Locust streets in Terre Haute with Pastor Rick Swan officiating.  Visitation is prior to services from 2:00-5:00 PM at the same location.  Private burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street.  In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to the Joanna Pease Scholarship Fund, Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation, 8347 West Range Cove, Memphis, TN 38125;  or to the charity of your choice.  Funeral information and tributes may be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.