Mrs. E. Joan Schwartz

E. Joan Schwartz, age 87, died Monday, May 20, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 12, 1925, in Bluffton, Indiana, to William and Nora Biberstine. On July 9, 1944, she married Raymond R. Schwartz at Six Mile Church in Bluffton. He died in 1987. Her brother, Lloyd W. Biberstine, also preceded her in death. Ms. Schwartz graduated from Defiance College, received her Master’s degree from Indiana University, and did post-graduate doctoral work at Toledo University. Her teaching career started at Blue Creek Local for her first four years. She then served as a guidance counselor at Van Wert High School and Lincoln Junior High for a combined total of 28 years. She also taught adult education classes at Vantage Vocational School. Ms. Schwartz was a past member of the Ohio School Counselors, Lima Area Counselors, Van Wert Mental Health Board, American Association of University Women, and Habitat for Humanity Board. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert, Ohio, where she had served as a deacon and an elder. She recently attended First United Presbyterian Church in Delphos. A passionate reader since childhood when she learned to read from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, she read everything from Civil War history to poetry. She especially liked to recite Longfellow’s “Hiawatha.” A music lover, she played the clarinet, piano, and keyboard. She decorated her home in an original oriental style. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called her “G.J.,” enjoyed her unique collection of frogs. Her favorite flower was the Iris, and she was crowned the “Iris Queen” at her 80th iris-themed birthday party. In addition to cheering for the Van Wert Cougars, she was an ardent supporter of college basketball: her alma mater, Indiana University, was her #1 college team. She was also a life-long New York Yankees’ fan. Survivors include four daughters: Sharyl (Terry) Odenweller of Delphos; Colleen Schwartz of Hopewell, NJ; Dr. Rhonda (Dr. Charles Moretti) Schwartz of Grand Forks, ND; and Romaine (Clifford) Taylor of Tallahassee, FL; seven grandchildren: Joy (Jeff) Hays, Trisha (Greg) Klausing, Albert (Katherine) B. Kahn III, Luke (Juliann L.) S. Moretti, Dr. Joel Schwartz-Moretti, Katrina (Daniel) Bourque, and Nathaniel Stirn; and eight great-grandchildren: Jake, Lexie, and Leah Hays; Joshua, Tyler, and Ryan Klausing; Abigail and Gabriel Bourque; and sister-in-law Marcile Biberstine of Bluffton, IN. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, at Six Mile Church in Bluffton, IN. Pastor Bruce Holland will officiate. Burial will be at Six Mile cemetery. Friends may call at Thoma/Rich, Chaney, and Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, IN, on Friday from 3-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Six Mile Church in Bluffton or the Activity Fund at Delphos Vancrest. The family wishes to acknowledge the “extended family” of special caregivers at Delphos Vancrest Health Care Center who provided loving care and comfort for their Mother over the past few years. Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com.

Mrs. E. Joan Schwartz

October 12, 1925 - May 20, 2013