FRANKLIN
Joanne Dorothy (Cherry) Sease, age 91, passed away peacefully in her home on July 16. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by her three children David (Donna), Daniel (Beth), and Cheri Corsaro (Kevin), ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her late husband Dr. Gene E. Sease.
She was born to Wallace and Virginia (Miller) Cherry on May 25, 1933 in Bellwood (Blair County), Pennsylvania, the oldest daughter of seven children. She was raised on a large fruit farm along with grandparents who sold fruit at the farm and also by truck in nearby communities. She learned to drive a tractor at an early age when she was tall enough to reach the pedals.
She graduated from Bellwood-Antis High School, riding a school bus all her years. In high school, she was an active leader, including captain of the cheerleaders.
She married Gene Sease of Portage, PA on July 20, 1952 and they celebrated 71 years together. Immediately upon their marriage, they moved to Pittsburgh where Gene became pastor of Grace Church for 11 years. He also served on the graduate faculty of the University of Pittsburgh as a part-time member. They moved to Indianapolis in 1968 where he became president of the University of Indianapolis, earlier known as Indiana Central College, and served there for 21 years.
Their children and grandchildren grew up hearing Gene tell them that he found a “Cherry” who was a peach, they made a “pear,” and she was the apple of his eye.
During their 21 years at the university, Joanne was hostess to many persons – including Sonny &Cher, Rosalynn Carter, Mister Rogers and others. In the Indianapolis community, she was active in the Indiana State Fair, 500 Festival, Marge Tarplee Downtown Beautification Committee and served on the Board of Directors of Otterbein Franklin Senior Life Community for nine years.
She was honored by the University of Indianapolis with the Gene and Joanne Sease Award given annually by the UIndy Alumni Association to a couple that, as a team, “exemplify” a similar type of commitment to the university that they had. She and her husband enjoyed many trips to nations outside the United States, including a trip around the world and private visits with two popes in Rome.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in her honor to the University of Indianapolis at www.uindy.edu/giving or Martin University at www.martin.edu/giving. A private celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
