Joan Ruth Earhart

Joan Ruth Earhart, 94, of Grace Village of Winona Lake, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, at 7:17 a.m.

She was born April 7, 1926, in South Bend, to the late Albert and Clara Kurtz Foster. Joan was united in marriage to Robert Wayne Earhart on Aug. 17, 1946, who preceded her in death in 2010.

Joan was a lifelong resident of South Bend and worked as a secretary with the South Bend School Corporation, retiring after 28 years in 1991. She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star – chapters #2 and #479 and participated in numerous other organizations, including Rainbow Girls, Sigma Phi Gamma, South Bend Elks Club Auxiliary, as well as an assortment of golf leagues. She was recognized as Indiana’s Secretary of the Year in 1986. Joan attended Grace United Methodist Church.

Joan is survived by son, Thomas (Ellen) Earhart, of Warsaw; and son-in-law, Charles Bushkill, of Albuquerque, N.M. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Matthew (Tessa) Earhart, of Fort Wayne; Jonathan Earhart (Danielle), of Vancouver, Wash.; Lindsay Bushkill, of Gastonia, N.C.; and Alison Garcia (Ryan), of Albuquerque, N.M.; and five great-grandchildren: Riley Earhart, Rhett and Heath Earhart, and Zoey and Tillman Garcia.

Her daughter, Judith, preceded her in death.

Friends may visit with the family from 9 until 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. Private services will follow, and burial will take place at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s memory may be offered to Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.