Joann M. "Josie" Briscoe

JoAnn M. "Josie" Briscoe, 82, of Goshen, died Thursday evening, September 24, 2009, at Courtyard Health Care.  She had been in failing health the past month. She was born in Rushville, Indiana, on December 7, 1926, to Virgil and Georgia (Rollings) Maffett.  She married William F. Briscoe on May 30, 1948, in Indianapolis.  He preceded her in death on June 24, 2007. A 50 year resident of Elkhart County, Mrs. Briscoe was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church and the Come Join Us Sunday School Class.  Along with her husband and daughter, Becca, Mrs. Briscoe owned and operated Johnson Bay Marina on Wawasee Lake from 1983 to 1993.  Before that she managed Jean Lee originals until 1979.  She and her husband had a dance band that toured northern Indiana until the late 1960's.  She was a former member of the Sunrisers Kiwanis Club of Goshen. She is survived by two daughters, Becca Briscoe of Goshen and Ruth Ann "Chib" (Randy) Gratz of Columbus, Indiana; two grandchildren; a great-grandson; and a sister, Lou Ellen Jenkins of Nashville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Joseph "Jay" Briscoe on September 16, 2008. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Goshen.  Pastor Michael Tarner will officiate.  Visitation will follow the memorial service until 5:00 p.m., in Albertson Hall at St. Mark's.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Goshen.