Joan Wallbrown, 80, of Deerfield, passed away Wednesday, May 15. She was born June 14, 1932 in Cleveland, to Fred G. and Glennrose (Moeller) Garmone.
Growing up in Cleveland, she attended Beaumont School for girls and went on to graduate from Ursuline College with a degree in social work. After working in Cleveland as a social worker, she attended Kent State University and obtained her teaching certificate.
She married Boyd in 1958. They purchased the original farm in 1959 and started Deerfield Farms. Joan taught grade school at Atwater and Southeast schools, while raising her family and helping Boyd farm.
Deerfield Farms
She retired from teaching in 1973 to devote all her time to build Deerfield Farms alongside Boyd. Joan was a world traveler, having explored places throughout Europe, Asia, Egypt and the Galapagos Islands.
She was a conservationist and a protector of wildlife as she loved God’s wonderful creation. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Boyd Jr., a sister, Judy Knight, and a brother, John Garmone.
Survivors include her daughters Jackie (Ron) Skipper of Lewistown, MT and Beth (Bill) Padisak of Deerfield, sons Bill (Jane) Wallbrown of North Benton, and John (Jessica) Wallbrown of Deerfield; grandchildren, Lauren, Cassy and Lydia Wallbrown, Caleb, Sarah, Jesse and Jonathan Skipper, Abby, Luke and Jake Wallbrown and Alex Silva Padisak.
Calling hours will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at Deerfield Evangelical Friends Church, 1261 state Route 14, Deerfield, Ohio.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. June 3 at the church, with Reverend John Ryser and Father Tom Acker officiating. Burial will follow in Deerfield Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Boyd Wallbrown Jr. Agriculture-Innovation Scholarship, 138 East Main Street, Kent, OH 44240. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.
