Joan Lucinda Gilkey

Joan Gilkey passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024 at age 94. She was residing in Cary, North Carolina. Joan, known as Jody, was the proud mother of Cindy Meyer (Ted Meyer), Melissa Mince (Dewey Mince), and Molly Gilkey. She was the grandmother of three grandchildren – Marci Copeland (Jerred), Sean Mince (Debbie), and Sara Miller (Doug). She also has five great grandchildren. Jody was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 42 years, James Gilkey and her parents, Ralph and Ruth Miller (nee Myers).

Jody was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on April 21, 1930. She spent the majority of her early life in Springfield, Ohio. She attended Springfield High School and graduated in 1948. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority. Jody received a BA in Education in 1952. While attending college she met her future husband, James Gilkey. They were married in 1952.

Jody lived in many places in their early married life including Indiana, Pennsylvania where their first daughter Cindy was born. Melissa was born in McLeansboro, Illinois. Other stops included Odessa, Texas, and Mount Pleasant, Michigan, before they settled into Evansville, Indiana in 1960. Molly was born in Evansville and they raised the family there.

Jody taught nursery school when her children were young. She then spent many years teaching special education and elementary students. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday school at the Presbyterian church. She had a wonderful voice and played the piano. She was always busy with many organizations including the Girl Scouts.

She loved gardening and nature and frequently took her children to local parks. In later years she was able to visit many national treasures such as the Everglades, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Tetons. She loved to travel and took two trips to Europe in 1995 and 1996.

Jody, Jim, and Molly moved to Oak Park, Illinois in 1979 where Jody continued to teach. Jim died in 1995. In 1995 Jody retired and in 1997 she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to be near friends and family. She became active in the Second Presbyterian Church. She worked in their annual fundraising bazaars and served as a Deacon.

In 2022 Jody moved to Cary, North Carolina again to be close to family. She joined the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church. A memorial service honoring Jody’s life will be held at the Kirk of Kildaire at some future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wittenberg University by going to https://giving.wittenberg.edu/project/24355/donate