HOWARD — Johanna “Joan” Sichel, 87, of Howard, (Apple Valley) was received into Heaven Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.
Born Sept. 9, 1931, in Lake Linden, Michigan, to Clyde and Alice Kingstrom, Joan was the youngest of four children, including brother Clyde (Kinger), and sisters Dorothy and Alice. She attended St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Hancock, Michigan, graduating in 1952.
She met future husband, Robert M. Sichel, who was attending nearby Michigan College of Mining and Technology, on a blind date in 1952. The two were married July 3, 1954, in Dearborn, Michigan, and relocated shortly thereafter to Sacramento, California.
The Sichels shared a lifetime of happiness together, moving from state-to-state with the United States Air Force. Stops along the way included Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, New York, and Columbus. They have called the Mount Vernon/Howard area home since 1991, where, despite her fondness for displaying a University of Michigan flag (Go Blue) on football Saturdays, she was well loved by neighbors and friends in the community.
Joan was mother of nine children and grandmother to 20 grandchildren, all of whom agree she made the BEST chocolate chip cookies.
Dedicated to service, she was a tireless advocate for Birthright and other local organizations. Members of the St. Philip’s community in Columbus remember her for all of the time she contributed at Altar Rosary, among other contributions. She was a volunteer at St. Philip and Hartley High School — from field trip driving to fundraisers. While in Apple Valley, she was active in Holiday Crafters, Garden Club, and the Activities Committee.
She was a marvelous cook, baker, and homemaker who enjoyed sewing, gardening, needlework, and bird watching. She thoroughly enjoyed strawberry and thimbleberry picking, authentic Michigan pasties and Yooper Hot Dogs—because you can take the girl out of Michigan, but you can’t take the Michigan out of the girl.
She will be forever remembered as loving and supportive wife, mother, grandma, and friend who loved having her family around her as much as possible.
She is preceded in death by a son, Andrew; brother, Kinger; sister Dorothy; daughter-in-law Jennifer Sichel; and her parents, Clyde and Alice Kingstrom.
She is survived and fondly remembered by husband Robert; sister Alice; and children Todd, Margot (Brad) Ranney, Brian (Cathy), Beth Woodman, Marie (Matt) Caputo, Martin (Angie), John (Diane) and Joanne (Kyle) Kirves.
She is also survived by grandchildren Travis, Erin (Jon), Jacimar, Lilianna, Rachel, Anthony, Georgianna, Thomas, Grant, Maggie, Jaret, Derek, Adam, Jack, Emily, Nicole, Ben, Megan, Nathaniel, and Nora.
Calling hours will be Friday, Aug. 9 from 3-7 p.m. at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna. The mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 1573 Elaine Road, Columbus. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to St. Philip the Apostle Church or St. Luke Catholic Church of Danville.
Trending
