Joan M. Bigora

July 26, 1935 - October 24, 2018

PLYMOUTH-Joan Marie Bigora, 83, formerly of Knox, passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at St. Joseph Regional Medical, Mishawaka, IN. Joan was born July 26, 1935 in Rochester, IN to Clifford and Dorothy (Guise) Runkle and lived in the area most of her life. Joan was a retired school teacher. She started her teaching career at St. Thomas Aquinas Schools in Knox, then Knox Community Schools. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from Purdue University. She was a former member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and her family. Joan took great pride in teaching children how to read. On August 27, 1954 in Hamlet, IN, she was married to Richard Bigora who preceded her in death in 1998. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Carol Stachulak; and two brothers, William Runkle and Jim Runkle. Survivors include one daughter, Margaret (Frank) Adamiec of Knox; one son, Joseph (Sian) Bigora of Chester, MD; five grandchildren, Samantha, Rachel and John Bigora, Andrew (Jade) Adamiec and Kristine (Cody) Binkley; four great-grandchildren, Kinley, Kole and Kennedy Adamiec and Blair Binkley; and one brother, Roy Runkle of Knox. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 26, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. CDT at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel. Visitation with the family will be Friday at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.