Joan Marie Rath

Joan was born in Toledo, Ohio on December 27,1945 to Robert and Virginia Rath. The second of 9 children, Joan grew up with her 5 sisters and 3 brothers in the family home in St. Michaels Ridge, outside of Defiance, Ohio. She attended St. Michaels Grade School and Jewell High School where she was a cheerleader and played the flute in the band.  Joan graduated from Defiance College and began her career in teaching and education administration. She worked for various school districts in the St. Louis area until she retired in 2004.

Joan was very generous with many talents and hobbies. She believed that you could do anything if you tried hard enough! She loved reading, gardening and entertaining friends in the home she decorated and loved. She was a very talented seamstress and would joyfully make clothing, drapes, quilts, and special items for friends and family. She loved travel, planning and taking trips throughout the world as often as she could. For many years Joan played tennis and loved everything about the game, and in her later years, evolved her passion to golf becoming an avid player with the same determination that she brought to life.

Joan was a dog lover. She loved even the naughty ones! Her dogs Charlie, Tucker and Sophie gave her much joy and were a source of great fun, entertainment and love.

Joan is proceeded in death by her sister Judith and brother Douglas and is survived by her siblings- Patricia Somers (Art), Mary Mayer (Ric), Jennifer Young (Jimmie), Robyn Hawkins (Michael), Samuel Rath (Wendy) and Gregory Rath (Stacy) and 17 nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her loving friends and family.

A celebration of Joan's life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local dog rescue organization.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.