Jonnie C. Maurer

JONNIE CAROLYN MAURER

February 2, 1933 - January 7, 2026

Jonnie was born in Mount Pleasant, Michigan in 1933. Her family moved to Ohio as a child, then they landed in southern California. She attended Santa Monica High School and was a majorette in the Rose Parade in 1950 and 1951. She was also a Rams Cheerleader during that time. After high school, she married Thomas Wheeler and had 2 children. Jonnie and Tom divorced in 1968/1969. She worked at Bank of America in Hawthorne, California for several years and left Bank of America to work at LAX as a ticket agent for Western Airlines which was purchased by Delta Airlines. In 1980, she left Delta Airlines to move to Grants Pass, Oregon where 2 of her brothers were residing. She worked for Jackson County Federal Branch Manager. In 1991 Jonnie was introduced to Lou Maurer through a mutual friend, Mary Groves. Jonnie and Lou married the next year on June 27, 1992. In 1994 she retired from Jackson County Federal and lived her remaining years in Grants Pass.

Jonnie had several hobbies that included traveling, sewing, gardening, raising cows (she was always an animal lover), baking, and shopping. She volunteered for the Rogue Valley Humane Society where she brought one of the dogs to her home to keep.

Jonnie left 3 surviving children; a daughter, Rhonda Helvik; a son named Mike Wheeler and a chosen son, Steve Maurer. She also leaves a very close friend of 40 plus years, Mary Groves and a niece, Mary Schaefer who she had a close mother daughter relationship with since Mary was young. All 5 currently reside in Oregon. She had 3 surviving sisters and 1 brother, Patty Zollinger who resides in Ohio, Marilyn Forte' in California, Bonnie Ladendecker in California, and Bill Bailey in Oregon. She also had 4 grandchildren, which were her daughter's chosen children and 11 great-grandchildren. With Jonnie's very large family, she leaves 2 sisters-in-law, many nieces/great nieces, nephews/great nephews and other chosen grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jonnie was preceded in death by her husband Lou Maurer, and her brothers, Louie Bailey and Larry Bailey.

1. CELEBRATION OF LIFE
2. February 7, 2026
3. 11:00 a.m.
4. Calvary Lutheran Church
5. 909 NE A St.
6. Grants Pass, OR 97526

Please share a memory of Jonnie in the guestbook.