Mrs. Patricia Joan Steelsmith, 94, of Lebanon passed away peacefully Monday, April 1, 2024, at Homewood Health Campus. She was born in Frankfort, Indiana, on May 14, 1929, a daughter of the late Lester M. and Bernice Lucille (Lee) Alford. She graduated from Jackson Township High School and was class president for several years and member of the Rural Youth League.
She was united in marriage to Jack Steelsmith on March 21, 1954, at the home of the bride’s family in Frankfort, Indiana. They recently celebrated 70 loving years together.
Joan worked at the Clinton County Courthouse in the Veteran’s Affairs Office and Department of Public Welfare as a bookkeeper. She was an Avon Representative in the 1980s.
Joan served as a room mother at Harney School for her children, along with Brownie and Girl Scout Helper. She also was a member of a Lebanon bowling team. Joan and her husband, Jack, traveled the United States visiting all of the states except Alaska. She and Jack, along with friends, made and sold funnel cakes at small town festivals. They wintered in Lake Placid, Florida and enjoyed time with friends.
To most, Joan was known for her warm smile, caring and heartfelt conversation and love for her family. She had a remarkable memory, a talent for penmanship capturing every detail of time and preserved and cherished family keepsakes. Her gardening skills were exceptional, and she became famous for nurturing a rare plant to bloom after 49 years. Joan enjoyed trick-or-treaters with the most sought-after Halloween Candy. She had a love of classics like “Gone with the Wind”, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and timeless music of Frank Sinatra.
While her song has ended, her melody lingers on…
Survivors include her husband, Jack Steelsmith; two children, Tonya Thayer of Lebanon, and Greg (Teresa) Steelsmith of Lebanon; five grandchildren, Melissa Stambaugh of Lebanon, Heather (Brian) Montgomery of Lebanon, Andrew (Heidi) Thayer of Zionsville, Alex (companion, Tara) Steelsmith of Attica, Michigan, and Leslie (companion, Nathan) Steelsmith of Waterford Township, Michigan; six great grandchildren, Kelsey (Paul) Carr, Evan (fiancée, Savannah) Stambaugh, Brayden Myers, Harrison and Hadley Thayer, and Otto Steelsmith; two great-great grandchildren, Jackson and Presley Joan Carr; and sister, Virginia “Ginny” Young of Fort Myers, Florida.
In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her brother, Bob Alford; sister, Betty Brookie; sons-in-law, Mike McPeak, and Sam Thayer; granddaughter, Felicia Steelsmith; and grandson-in-law, Andy Myers.
Funeral Services are planned for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will follow services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
Memorials may be directed in Joan’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences: www.MyersMortuary.com