Joni Stames

Nancy Joan Stames was born to Fred and Esther Bockelman on November 13, 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was given the nickname “Joni” at an early age. Joni grew up in Grandview, Missouri and attended Loretto High School and the Sisters of Loretto School. She graduated in 1970. Shortly afterwards she traveled to Imperial Beach, California to visit her older brother Rick Bockelman who was serving in the U.S. Navy in San Diego. During her time in San Diego she met Mike Stames and was married to him in August of 1973. Joni was a beautiful, virtuous woman – a loving wife, mother, sister, mother-in-law and grandmother. She graduated from San Diego State University and became an Elementary School Teacher. She taught at Oneonta Elementary School in Imperial Beach for 30 years. She loved her students as well as everyone she worked with. Joni was a Body Pump instructor for the South Bay Family YMCA. She was the founder of the South Bay Family YMCA Trail Runners group that has a group of tremendous individuals who run trails all over the South Bay area, participate in running events and raise money for the YMCA. She completed the Boston Marathon weeks before her passing. Joni attended Ocean View Church, formerly Midway Baptist Church with her husband Mike and served in a variety of Ministries spanning 30+ years. Joni is survived by her husband Mike, Son Jonathan, Daughter-in-Law Ghezala, Granddaughter Olivia, Brothers Jack, Rick, Brad and Bill, and sisters Susan and Karen.