Joan (Erven) Cooley

Joan Cooley, 90, of Fremont, Ohio passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 3, 2023.  She was born on December 10, 1932 to the late Gilbert and Vivian (Abbott) Erven in Weston, Ohio. She married S.V. “Spade” Cooley on December 21, 1956 and they were together for 51 years until he passed away in 2008.

Joan is survived by her daughters: Leigh (Terry) Vogelsong of Novi, Michigan and Kay (Layne) Leemaster of Helena, Ohio; two grandchildren,  Holly and Matthew Leemaster; and numerous other family members in Ohio and Mississippi. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Vivian; husband S.V; brother Donald; and an infant sister, Joyce Erven.

Joan graduated from Fremont Ross High School and went on to earn a Bachelors degree in education from Bowling Green State University. She was a teacher’s aide / substitute teacher in the Fremont School District and was involved in the PTA while her daughters were in school.  She was a member of the Riley Garden Club; a lifetime member of the Wood County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society; and volunteered regularly at her church, Hayes United Methodist.  Joan enjoyed family get-togethers, traveling, singing, and genealogy. 

Contributions in Joan’s memory may be gifted to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Hayes United Methodist Church.

Visitation for Joan will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from 10:30 am until the time of her funeral service at 11:30 am at Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Burial will immediately follow at Beaver Creek Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Online condolences as well as fond memories may be shared with Joan’s family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.