Joan Theurer

Marilyn "Joan" Theurer, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023, at home, surrounded by her family at the age of 88.

Joan was born in Dunkirk, Indiana to George and Mary Evelyn (Dayton) Wise.

She graduated from Dunkirk High School. On April 24, 1954 she married her high school sweetheart, Jack Theurer. They moved to Marion where she spent the remainder of her life and raised her 4 children. Joan was a loving wife and mother. She deeply loved her own children, the children of others and her grandchildren, unconditionally.

Joan had a smile that would light up a room when she entered. She had a compassionate heart for helping others and was an excellent cook and baker. She will be remembered for the hundreds and hundreds of handwritten cards of encouragement that she sent to her Grace Community Church family and others in need, and her homemade strawberry jam.

Joan and her husband were avid Marion Giants fans and long-time season ticket holders. Prior to Joan's retirement from Marion Community Schools and the Jones Jr. High cafeteria, she took pride in serving the students she loved and baking chocolate chip cookies for the Marion Giants Basketball team and coaches.

Joan is survived by her husband of 69 years, Jack Theurer; children, Connie Evans of Marion, Tony (Susie) Theurer of Marion, and Tracy (Brittanie) Theurer of Poneto; grandchildren, Jessica Martz, Brady Theurer, Jacob (Cassandra) Theurer, Brittany (Chris) Sheward, Andrew Evans, Levi Theurer, and Brooke Patton; great-grandchildren, Gabriella (Montana) Wadding, Blake Sheward, Kirah Sheward, Raegan Suzanne Theurer; great-great grandchildren, Ophelia and Odom Wadding; six step-grandchildren.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerry Wise; son, Tim Theurer.

Following the devastating loss of her son, Joan took her grieving heart and joined the Smile Seekers Clown Ministry. Under the alias "Ruffles", she volunteered at Marion General Hospital and the Grant County nursing homes spreading joy and offering hope and encouragement.

In 1998, she was named "Clown of the Year" and also participated with the Smile Seekers in Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade.

Joan will be missed by many. Also left to honor her memory, Oma and Ricky Miller, Evellen and Robin Brewer, Marie Rigdon, Robert Howard, Stan Howard, Ginger Sasche, Louis "Mouthy" Bradshaw, Bo and Teresa Timmons, Pastor Tom and Diane Mansbarger and her many friends at Grace Community Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the College Park Chapel Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4601 S. Western Ave., Marion, IN 46953. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 4:00p.m., at Grace Community Church 1810 E. Bradford Pike, Marion, IN 46952, with Pastor Tom Mansbarger officiating.

The Theurer family would also like to thank the local EMT's, paramedics, and first responders who assisted Joan on the first leg of her journey. Also, the Gentiva Hospice Team who walked alongside them and provided guidance and care until the end of her journey.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made out to Grace Community Church, 1810 E. Bradford Pike, Marion, IN 46952, or Gilead Ministries, 212 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN 46952, in remembrance of Joan.

Online memories and condolences can be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com