Joan M. Weiner

Joan was married to the late Sheldon Earl Weiner in June 1961 until his death in December 1991. She is survived by her three children: David Weiner (Tina), Richard Carl Weiner (Nancy) Linda Webb (Randy). Joan was blessed with numerous grandchildren: Christopher Weiner (Veronica), Shelbi Weiner, Rebecca Webb, Maxine Webb, Elizabeth Blakinship, Tony Huynh, and Tracy Bui.

Joan was born during World War II to David and Bessie Saferstein (later legally changed to Stone.) Her third birthday, August 14, 1945, was VJ day, the end of the war in the Pacific. All up and down the street people wadded up newspapers and threw them out the windows in celebration of the end of the war. On her fourth birthday, Joan asked if everyone was going to do that again in celebration of her birthday.

Joan grew up in Detroit during its famous sock hop era. Joan witnessed and watched many aspiring musicians singing on the school grounds. Through the years, Joan enjoyed singing with chorale groups and church choirs. Sharing music and performing was one of her joys in life.

Joan’s workdays came to an end as she became a mother in the summer of 1963. Joan was an activist. She ran in 1972 to be a precinct delegate from Livonia, Michigan and won. She and Sheldon were invited to the inauguration of President Richard Nixon. During the campaign of 1972, the entire family rode the campaign bus with Senator Griffin and Congressman Marvin Esch. Letters from California Governor Ronald Reagan were amongst her many letters from politicians who corresponded with her. Joan remained active in the Republican party and politics and was proud to receive lifetime membership of the Republican National Committee.

A true love for animals has always been a major part of Joan's nature. She owned dogs from childhood on, took in strays, and later in life adopted a cat whom she named Love. Love was a wonderful companion in her last years. Before that, Biscuit, A Bichon/Cavalier mix, shared many of her senior years as a faithful and loved companion.

Until she passed, Joan was quite meticulous in her writing and always remembered everyone’s birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. You could be certain that as your birthday approached, she would already have a card addressed, stamped, and in the mail no matter her health or personal circumstances.

During the late 1960’s, Joan took up the hobby of racing motorcycles. She once won a mini-bike race on the old trails next to Ford Field in Livonia. Joan and Sheldon raised their three children in the bedroom community of Livonia, Michigan and were active in the community. All three of her children were part of the Y Family programs Indian Guides and Princesses. Her husband and children frequently participated in the Livonia Memorial Day Parade during the early 70’s. Joan and Sheldon raised three successful children. Her daughter Linda is a CFO for a successful company in Burleson, Texas. Her son Richard served his nation for over two decades. As a member of the US Army, he served during both Gulf Wars, and continues to serve our country as member of the Army Corps of Engineers. Her eldest son David is now in his 39th year in the financial services industry.

After Sheldon's death in 1991, Joan relocated to Lawton, OK where Rick was serving at the time. She lived there until 2005 when she relocated to Arlington, Texas to be closer to family as Rick was no longer stationed in Lawton after a few years. She visited Michigan a couple of times and reunited with her estranged brother, Chuck, before his passing. Family was an important value in Joan's life, and contained both joy and sorrow for her.

Joan was always a true seeking spiritual person. Born to Jewish parents, she raised her family in the Jewish faith. Later in life she explored Christianity through a Baptist and United Methodist Church in Lawton, found and was born again in Jesus Christ our Lord through baptism and profession of faith and most recently attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Texas.

Joan lived through many decades and witnessed a lot during her time. She and Sheldon can cherish the fact that generations of their children will continue on by serving their communities and houses of faith. May Joan take her last trip and now be greeted by all of those who passed before her to welcome her to eternal life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ASPCA or Operation Kindness in memory of Joan Weiner.