Joanne Kathryn (Vollmer) Brines

Joanne Kathryn (Vollmer) Brines passed away on October 11,2025 at the age of 95.  She was born July 11, 1930 to Harold and Mildred Vollmer.  She was raised in Saginaw and graduated from Arthur High School in 1948.  She graduated from Michigan State University in 1952 with bachelor's degree in Business Administration.  She worked at Dow Chemical as a secretary for 17 years.  On March 23, 1968 she married Melvin "Ben" Brines at First United Methodist Church in Midland.  With the marriage to Ben she gained 3 daughters Barbara Peterson (Duane), Janet Mayer and Bonnie King (Russ).

She is survived by her sister Janice Sarkozy of Laguna Woods,CA, sister-in-law Judy Vollmer Chaussee (Maynard), son in law Russ King (Sharon).   She was Aunt Joey to her  8 nieces and 2 nephews, and Gramma Jo to  6 granddaughters, 3 grandsons, 19 great grand children, 11 great great grandchldren.

Joanne was a member of the First United Methodist Church.  She volunteered 22 years as a secretarial helper, ushering, Flower Committee and bereavement committee.  She belonged to the Midland Genealogical  Society filling all offices except publications.  She and Ben loved researching his roots back to the 1600s.  Joanne was always willing to help others with their research or to do it for them.  For over40 years, Joanne worked Tuesday afternoons in the Genealogy room at the Dow Library until Covid hit.  She belonged to AAUW, Friends of the Library, Midland Historical Society and the Midland Diversity Club.

At the age of 25, she traveled to Europe in 1955 with a friend crossing the Atlantic on a ship both ways. She loved to travel. She especially enjoyed going to the UP with her nieces, attending family weddings and Christmas celebrations.  She loved her time in Poland with a church group and her last trip was a river cruise with her friend Faye.

She is predeceased by her husband, Ben, her parents, sister Norma Jean Williams, brother Jerry Vollmer, brother-in-law Don Sarkozy, nephew Kevin Chaussee, daughters Barbara Peterson, Janet Mayer and Bonnie King.

The family wishes to thank Primrose and Right at Home aides and  Optimal Care  Hospice that took good care of Jo in the final months.

Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bethany Maciejewski officiating.  The church is having technical difficulties with their live stream. They are working to possibly upload a recording later. She will be laid to rest in the Oakwood Mausoleum. Visitation will be at the Church on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 10 a.m until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, West Midland Family Center, or Optimal Care Hospice. The Brines family is being cared for by Wilson Miller Funeral Home.