Ella "Joan" (Spannuth) Thom

Ella J. Thom, age 95, of Houghton Lake, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Ella, known to many as Joan, was born on October 31, 1930, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Raymond and Sylvia (Holt) Spannuth. On August 7, 1953, she married the love of her life, Robert W. Thom, in Belleville, Michigan.  Together, Ella and Robert raised their family in Plymouth, where they built a home filled with love and lasting memories.

Ella began her professional career as an administrative secretary for Ford Motor Company and later worked for Equitable Life before retiring in 1988. That same year, she and Robert moved from Plymouth to Houghton Lake to enjoy up north, lake living, and embrace the next chapters of their lives together.

She was a proud member of the Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks and faithfully served as a DOE for many years.  She enjoyed snowmobiling in her younger years, spending time on the golf course, and quilting with care. Above all, her greatest joy and passion was cooking. 

Ella’s legacy lives on through her children, Richard Thom and Cherie (Larry) Chesner; her grandchildren, Jenna (Reed) Kemp, Samantha Chesner, Julia Thom, and Sarah Chesner. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert, and her parents.

Private family services will be held. Interment will take place at Washtenong Memorial Park in Ann Arbor. Memorial contributions in memory of Ella may be directed to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel is serving the family. Condolences may be shared online at www.christler-holdship.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ella "Joan" (Spannuth) Thom, please visit our floral store.