Joan B. Pehlke

Joan Betty (Ridenour) Pehlke, 84, passed away peacefully at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday August 5, 2023 at Healthwin Specialized Care, South Bend.

Joan was born in South Bend on August 6, 1938 to the late Charles C. and Alberta C. (Major) Ridenour.  She attended Central High School and graduated in 1956.

Joan married Max Pehlke on December 16, 1957, sharing 65 years of marriage.  Together they have one son; Timothy (Cathy) Pehlke of South Bend.

Joan was a teachers assistant at Navarre School for 16 years.  She also worked for 2 years at Emmco Associates, the insurance division.  She was a 50 year charter member of the former Mayflower Bible Church.  She also was a member of the Pioneer Auto Club, Oldsmobile Club of America, Shay Owners Club, and Cushman Motor Scooter Club and West Side Church of Christ. 

Joan also was a Sunday school teacher for 30 years and served her community as a poll worker proudly for 25 years.  She liked to watch Nascar races, collect jewelry, and attend Christian music concerts.  Her favorite vacation spots were Branson, Missouri, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Joan leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Max Pehlke, son; Timothy (Cathy) Pehlke, grandchildren; Timothy II (Elizabeth) Pehlke of Tampa, Florida and Joel Ryne Pehlke, and one brother; Richard Ridenour. 

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; Charles and Alberta Ridenour, her brothers; Louis Ridenour and Albert Ridenour, and one sister; Joyce Orisich.

Visitation for Joan will be held from 6pm-8pm on Thursday August 10 at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend.  Visitation will also be held from 9am-10am with a funeral service at 10a.m. on Friday August 11 at Ardmore Brethren Church, 23370 Ardmore Trl. South Bend. Stan Hullah will be officiating.  Entombment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Christopher Hall for the many years of great care of Joan.

Memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be made to Ardmore Brethren Church, 23370 Ardmore Trl. South Bend.

Online condolences to the family may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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