Carolyn Joan Gray

Carolyn “Joan” Gray, 79 of Keystone, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was marked by dedication, compassion and quiet strength. She was born on December 6, 1945, in Wells County to Donald and Francis Irene (Hinshaw) Williams. Joan graduated from Petroleum High School in 1964 and earned her nursing degree from Ball Memorial School of Nursing in 1967. She devoted 28 years of compassionate care to patients at Wells Community Hospital and later served the community for 7 years at the Wells County Health Department. A woman of strong faith, Joan was a member of the Reformed Church. She was known for her kindness, her unwavering love for her family and her competitive spirit during games of Pegs and Jokers – her favorite pastime. Joan was the devoted wife of Galen Gray and the cherished mother of Dawn Ertel of Olathe, Kansas, and Gay Lynn (Preston) Bartlett of Cleveland, Ohio. She was a proud grandmother of Karlie (Kyle) Nations, Connie Gray, Ryan Bartlett and Evan (Alex) Zaremba, and a loving great-grandmother to Graham Nations, Lilah Nations and Keeley Bartlett. She is survived by her husband, Galen of Keystone, her daughters, Dawn Ertel and Gay Lynn (Preston) Bartlett, her three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, along with her siblings, Nancy Williams of Carmel, Becky (Barry) Penrod of Bluffton, Mike (Tracy) Williams of Indianapolis and Jeff (Sandy) Williams of Phoenix, AZ. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Brett Bartlett, whom she held dearly in her heart, her parents, and her siblings, Helen (Ray) Cale, Theodore “Ted” (LuAnn) Williams and Tom Williams. Joan’s presence brightened every room, and her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 4 to 8 P.M. and for one hour prior to the service at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place on Thursday (Sept. 11) at 10:30 A.M. with Dr. Bryson “Gene” Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Stahl Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children and may be directed through the funeral home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends may share online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com.

Carolyn Joan Gray

December 6, 1945 - September 6, 2025