Joan Carol (Shreve) Wilhelm

Joan Carol Wilhelm passed away peacefully at home on Thursday August 17, 2023 due to a brief illness.  She was born on July 2, 1935 and recently celebrated her 88th birthday with her loving family. She was the last surviving member of a family with eight siblings. A special thank you to the staff of UH Elyria Medical Center, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and Dr. Nestor Gayomali MD for taking such good care of her.  Granddaughter Stacy Collins lived with her and made sure she was comfortable up until the very last day.  She made a promise to Grandpa to always take care of her, and she fulfilled that promise with grace, compassion, dignity, and love.  The family will be forever grateful to Stacy for all she has done for her beloved “granny.”

Joan attended Elyria High School and spent her early career as a waitress at the Coffee Cup restaurant downtown Elyria, and as a hostess at The Attic inside of Higbee’s at the Midway Mall. Joan also worked at the original Angelina’s Pizza located on Cleveland Street. She was an excellent seamstress and worked as a Bridal Consultant for many years at Ted Jacobs in Elyria.  With the closing of Ted’s, she worked as a Sales Assistant at Ganto’s and made her way back to working in bridal with Diana’s Bridal.

Joan enjoyed making dresses for the little girls in her life, and they wore them proudly passing them down to the next generation.  She was an avid bowler and was awarded many trophies and pins for her achievements.  She enjoyed singing and was a member of the Gibson Girls singing group and of her Church Choir at Washington Avenue Christian Church where she also served on the Diaconate and the Worship Committee. Decorating her Church Harvest Window was one of her favorite things to do.  She and dad participated in many Church events, and were members of the original Church when it was located on Second Street.

She enjoyed going on trips with her family both long and short.  Whether it was to Hawaii, Niagra Falls, Texas, Florida, or just down the road to visit relatives in Mansfield, she was always eager to pick up and go. Shopping was a passion of Joans, and you couldn’t tell her you were going to the store unless you were planning on taking her with you. She was a social person, and if she saw you at Drug Mart or Apples you could bet on a 20 minute conversation as she was always interested in how everyone was doing.

She was an active member of the Elyria Women’s Fellowship securing speakers for their monthly meetings, and the Red Hat Ladies chapter of Elyria.

Family was the highlight of Joan’s life.  She had a special relationship with each one of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and a book could be written about all their adventures. She could have easily written the book on 20 minute meals because she had a knack for making a meal out of whatever she found in the fridge or cupboard. She was quite the baker and made everything from scratch. Everyone loved her homemade bread, pies, and Texas sheet cake. 

In addition to being a working mom, Joan raised four wonderful children, and will be deeply missed.  She is survived by her children; daughters, Cheryl (William) Grapes, of Grafton, Ohio, Candis (Vince) Schomaker, of  Conroe, Texas;  sons, Ronald of Covington, Kentucky, and Dennis (Kimberly) of Elyria, Ohio; grandchildren, Stacy, Betsy, Christen, Samantha, Aundria, Robert, Matt, Liana, Kyle, and Jennifer;  great-grand children, Jordan, Nathan, Kailee, Hollie, Emilee, Aubrie, Leo, Olivia, Ryan, Sienna, Haylee, Briley, Colt, Steven and Aiden; great-great grandchildren, Tiago and River; sister-in-law Linda Shreve of Mansfield, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her devoted and loving husband of 54 years, Robert J. Wilhelm in 2008, and parents, Sheral (Snyder) Shreve, and Maynard Shreve; brothers, Charles, Jack, Neil, Richard, Kenneth, and Gary;  and sister, Melva Jean. 

Arrangements are being handled by the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elyria, 440-322-4626.

A private family burial will take place at a later date at Brookdale Cemetery.

Memorial Donations can be made in remembrance of Joan (Shreve) Wilhelm to Washington Avenue Christian Church, 301 Washington Avenue, Elyria, Ohio 44035  440-323-4213.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com

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