Joan Ann Chester

A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Joan Ann Chester, age 93, of Granville, Ohio, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, at the Church of St. Edward the Confessor, 785 Newark Granville Road in Granville with Father Timothy Hayes as Celebrant. Joan will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Frank, of 70 years, at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark following the Mass.

Joan was born February 29, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Andrew and Anna (Muran) Yanak. She passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Middleton Senior Living in Granville.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Sharon M. Wiesler, two brothers and two sisters.

Joan was a remarkable woman whose life was marked by service, devotion, and love for her family and community.

Joan balanced the demands of raising a large family with careers as a hairstylist, babysitter, retail clerk at Eddie Bauer, and as a cook at Southwestern City Schools. She retired at the age of 82.

Joan's faith was a guiding force in her life. A longtime member of St. Cecilia Church in Galloway, she and her husband served in church activities, including cooking for funeral luncheons and spaghetti dinners, making bologna sandwiches monthly for St. Vincent de Paul, and making balloon arrangements for birthdays for nursing homes. As a Eucharistic Minister, PSR teacher, Bible study host, and Prison Ministry volunteer in Franklin County, her dedication to her faith and community was unwavering. Her joy for life and love for others shone brightly.

Joan’s commitment to service extended beyond her church involvement. She faithfully donated blood and walked for St. Vincent de Paul and Relay for Life events for the American Cancer Society.

Joan and Frank later became members of the Church of St. Edward the Confessor in Granville.

May Joan rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved Frank, and forever remembered with love and gratitude for the incredible legacy that she leaves behind.

She is survived by her loving children, Barb (Mike) Barbo of North Royalton, Phillip Chester of Norwalk, Rosanne (Mike) Weber of Galloway, Andrea (Dave) Shuffield of Missouri, Julianne Johnson of Hilliard, Cheryl (Doug) Houser of Granville, Gregory (Julie Marie) Chester of Sunbury, Daniel (Michelle) Chester of Olmsted Falls, and Jeffery Chester of North Carolina; 27 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Bill Wiesler of Olmsted Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Vincent de Paul, c/o the Church of St. Edward the Confessor, 785 Newark Granville Road, Granville, OH 43023 or to Earl’s Place Transitional Housing, 1400 E. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21231.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Joan and the Chester family.