Joanne M. Bensavage, 72, of Edwardsville, passed away at her home on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Born in Nanticoke on April 24, 1954, Joanne was the daughter of the late Joseph J. and Lorraine A. (Lanuti) Bensavage.

After graduating from West Side Area Vocational-Technical School (where she earned a varsity letter in softball), Joanne dedicated many years of hard work to local factories, including the General Cigar Company and Energy Convertors, Inc. (Encon).

Though she faced various challenges throughout her life, including physical health struggles toward the end of her life, Joanne was resilient, and carved out a fulfilling life on her terms. A gifted athlete in her youth, several cousins fondly remember her smashing a softball over the fence and refer to her as “the home run queen.” Joanne also nurtured a lifelong love of music and enjoyed attending live music concerts.

In addition to her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by all of her aunts and uncles, including Leanora Biciocchi, Eleanor Smijon, George Bensavage, Sr., Mary Dennis, Elizabeth (Betty) Grieshaber, Leo Bensavage, Sr., John (Jack) Bensavage, and Edward Bensavage, as well as several cousins, including George Bensavage, Jr., Barbara Graham, and Joseph Dennis.

She will be deeply missed by her surviving family, including her sister, Elaine E. Bensavage, Salem, Oregon; cousins, Ann Marie Dennis, Wilkes-Barre; Elaine Heiser and her husband, Joe, Wilkes-Barre Twp.; Loraine Stook and her husband, Jim, Nuangola; Leo Bensavage, Jr. and his wife, Sharon, Menifee, CA; Rose Marie Malenovich, Cape Coral, FL; Renee Girton, Lakeland, FL; Mark E. Bensavage and his wife, Samantha, Mountain Top; John T. Biciocchi and his wife, Kathy, Ponte Vedra, FL; Paul E. Biciocchi and his wife, Joy, Bethany Beach, DE; and Robert L. Biciocchi and his wife, Lisi, Bethany Beach, DE.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 9 to 10 A.M. in St. Monica Parish, 363 West Eighth Street, West Wyoming.

A Memorial Mass will begin at 10 A.M. with the Reverend Peter Tomczak, officiating.

Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Twp.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to a charity of their choice. In that event, the family suggests considering a charity related to Joanne's situation, such as a donation to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), an autism charity, or a diabetes research charity.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bednarskifuneralhome.com