Joanne Mae Brown Sadewasser, 83, of Indian Head, formerly of Centreville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at Civista Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland.

Born July 3, 1927, in the family home in Centreville, delivered by her Grandmother Brown, she was the daughter of John "Jake" Brown and Elenore Marion Schrader Brown.

Mrs. Sadewasser graduated from Centreville High School in Centreville, Michigan and from the Elkhart Medical Secretary School in Elkhart, Indiana. She spent her working years as the Secretary to the Centreville School System. She was heavily involved in the mission of the system and the support of the administration, staff, and students within. To acknowledge her commitment and to show their appreciation of her efforts, the school's students dedicated an annual yearbook, the Centrillian to her.

Upon retirement from that position, she still had a desire to contribute to her community and was elected and served as a County Commissioner for St. Joseph County. She loved politics, hosted many tea parties in her home for political candidates, worked the polls, served on the Election Board, and followed passionately the political career of each new election. She was the family sage, always studying issues thoroughly before giving her "read" on the world's issues. She loved to read biographies, embroider, and be kept up-to-date on the latest family, friend, and neighborhood news.

She was a long-time member of the Centreville/Three Rivers Presbyterian Church. She cooked many a "Fireman's Dinner" for the volunteers at the Centreville Fire Department and volunteered for many worthy causes herself. She enjoyed traveling with her late husband, George, especially to Florida to follow the sun away from Michigan's cold winters. Following the death of her husband and mother, she moved to Maryland in 1996 to be near her daughter and family.

Above all, however, Mrs. Sadewasser loved her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George and loving son, Steven Sadewasser.

Grandma Joanne is survived by her daughter, Dianne McWilliams and son-in-law, John McWilliams of Indian Head, Maryland; daughter-in-law Judi Sadewasser of Lansing, Michigan; sister, Mary Lou Wills of La Plata, Maryland; sister-in-laws Kathy Sadewasser of Centreville, Michigan, and Helen Jean Avery of Colon, Michigan; grandchildren John Carroll McWilliams, Megan Pierce and husband Henry Pierce of Port Tobacco, Maryland, Erin Joanne Klaas and husband Brian Klaas of Nanjemoy, Maryland, Shannon Oliver and husband Daniel Oliver of La Plata, Maryland, Amy Halfmann and husband Jeremy Halfmann of Lansing, Michigan, Hannah Sadewasser and husband Eric Sterin of Grand Ledge, Michigan; honorary grandchildren Hamad Ahmady and wife Lori of Mt. Vernon, Virginia and Megan Good, Kelly White and Tracie Brakke of Indian Head, Maryland; great grandchildren Reagan Dianne McWilliams of La Plata, Maryland, Liam McWilliams Pierce and Sophia Dianne Pierce of Port Tobacco, Maryland, Grady Jameson Klaas, Grace Dianne Klaas and Gavin Gregory Klaas of Nanjemoy, Maryland, Lily Dianne Oliver of La Plata, Maryland, Aiden and Saige Halfmann of Lansing, Michigan, Arian, Saida, Mayla and Anna Sterrin of Grand Ledge, Michigan, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and neighbors who loved her as their Aunt/Grandma Joanne.

Funeral Services and Interment will take place at a later date in her home town of Centreville, Michigan next to her husband.

Memorial contributions may be made to Charles County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1015, Waldorf, MD 20604.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.