Joan H. Underwood passed away peacefully Saturday May 8, 2021, at Westwind Manor Assisted Living in Franklin, N.J. She was 83.
She was born Sept. 2, 1937, in Newton to the late Clarence and Hazel (Westbrook) Williams. Joan was raised in Stillwater and Swartswood prior to becoming a resident of Franklin for 50 years. Joan was a graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1956. As a youngster Joan worked on the family farm and was involved in 4-H. She also raised seeing eye dogs. Later in life, she worked proudly as a waitress at Yetter’s Diner until her retirement in 2016.
Joan loved traveling to new places, trying new foods, meeting new people, and hitting the casinos.
Joan was predeceased by her husband, Robert Underwood, in 1985; her sister Ruthann Coumo in 2015; and her longtime companion, Joseph Matthews, in 2013.
She is survived by her sons, Keith Schoonover, and his wife, Linda, of Hamburg, N.J., and Ronald Schoonover and his wife, Susan, of Florida; stepson, Patrick Underwood and his wife, Serena, of Maryland; special niece, Annamarie Heverly, and her husband, Randy, of Branchville, N.J.; sister Judy Melki of Virginia; grandchildren, Jason, Frank, Kimberly, Amanda, Jessica, and Ryan Schoonover; and great-grandchildren, Isaac, Abram, Estelle, Iris, Matthew, and soon to be Chloe; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton, N.J. Memorial donations made be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.