Joan (Palm) Plassman, age 88, of Archbold, Ohio, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2018 at Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home in Archbold, Ohio.
Joan was born on November 29, 1929 in Wilmington, Delaware. She was the second of four children born to Cyril and Judith (Chase) Palm. Joan graduated from Liberty Union High School in Baltimore, OH in 1947. From 1947-1951, Joan attended Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, and completed her degree in social work.
She was active in women’s sports and played field hockey, volleyball, and earned her National A Official’s referee rating for volleyball. In 1950, she was chosen to represent her class as an attendant on Capital’s Homecoming Court.
It was here at Capital that she met her husband-to-be, Harold Plassman. They were engaged by the time they graduated in 1951 and were married on October 28, 1951, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Napoleon, Ohio. She worked as a caseworker for the Division of the Aged of the State of Ohio until marriage. She then continued to use her social work degree as she raised her six children.
As her children graduated and left home, she became involved with community and service organizations in Archbold. She joined CCL, Bridge Club, and the Archbold Garden Club. She was the familiar face in charge of the American Red Cross Bloodmobile for many years. As a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, she co-chaired the funeral committee for many years, served in various offices for Women of the Church, participated in monthly sewing days, served on the building committee, and was a delegate to many church conventions. With two other church members, she was instrumental in organizing an after-school tutoring program called “Homework Table”.
She will be remembered as a very loving, caring and patient wife, parent, grandparent, and friend. She had a compassionate nature and was often a caregiver for people in need. Her gentle nature endeared her to her grandchildren who spent many days at Grandma’s house while they were growing up. Her influence has left its mark on their lives as they remember Grandma’s devotion to them.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Harold; their children Susan (James) Dominique and Judi (Phil) Rupp of Archbold, Dr. Brenda Plassman of Cary, NC, Mark Plassman of Flagstaff, AZ, Janet (Jim) Wyse of Archbold, and David (Jennifer) Plassman of Interlochen, MI; 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jean Palm and Betty Morley of Santa Fe, NM; brother-in-law Ron (Suzanna) Plassman of Fort Wayne, IN; sisters-in-law Janice Palm of Warren, OH, Mildred Mitchell of Columbus Grove, OH and Clarabell Badenhop of Archbold.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Richard Palm, and a son-in-law, Dr. Warren Jewett.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2018, from 1:30 – 4:30 P.M. in the Fairlawn Haven Chapel, Archbold, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, September 10, 2018, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Archbold, Ohio, with Pastor Paul Reichert officiating. A private burial in the Archbold Cemetery will precede the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to the Archbold Area Foundation (designated to the Harold and Joan Plassman Good Samaritan Fund), St. Martin’s Lutheran Church (designated to the Harold and Joan Plassman Tuition Reimbursement Fund), or a charity of the donor’s choice.
