Joan Ruth (Hartzell) Riner

RINER, Joan Ruth nee Hartzell, age 97 of Kettering, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2022, at Noon in her residence, surrounded by her children. Joan was born in Dayton on July 19, 1925, to the late Ormal Hartzell and Olive Caylor Hartzell. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband Richard in 1990 and her oldest son, Rex in 2015.

She is survived by her children, Ms. Beverly Smedley, Mr. Edward Riner and Mr. James Riner and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Janet Riner (Rex’s wife).

Her grandchildren, Scott Wolverton and Timothy Merrill (Bev’s sons);

Her grandchildren, Mrs. Renee Riner Brown and husband, Jeffrey Brown, Dr. Diana Riner, Mr. Christopher Riner and wife, Molli, and Mrs. Megan Loh and husband, Dr. Geoffrey Loh. (Rex and Janet Riner’s children);

Her grandchildren, Viola Barker Craft and husband Reuben, Andy Barker and wife, Jackie (Ed’s children by marriage to the late Cynthia Barker Riner);

Her great grandchildren, Damen, Grace and Gabriel (Scott’s children),

Thomas and Sean (Renee’s children), Dylan, Sophia, and Lilly (Chris’ children), Patrick, Charlie and Rose (Megan’s children);

Her grandchildren, Lukas (Viola’s son) and Haleigh, Emma, Johnathon, and Kayson (Andy’s children).

Joan and Richard were childhood sweethearts, were the same age, and both graduated high school at Jefferson High together. They married after Richard served in the Navy in WWII. They were married for 43 years, until Richard passed on when they were 65. Joan spent many years as a homemaker and mother. As her children, we were lucky to have a mother so involved in her children’s activities. Joan enjoyed sports, played volleyball in school, went to all her children’s sporting events, games and played golf in midlife. She attended her grandchildren’s sporting events and was a big fan of the Cincinnati Reds. She happily worked for 20 years at her brother, Willard Hartzell’s family business, growing flowers in greenhouses located on Germantown Pike. She enjoyed flowers and everything associated with flowers and decorating. Willard’s wife, Evelyn and children Jerry and Tom were and are close to the Riner family. Tom Hartzell holds his Aunt Joan close to his heart. Joan was also close to the Riner side of the family. Her brother-in-law, Gordon and wife Marion along with children Debby, Cindy and Robyn were a big part of Riner life. Joan and Willard’s parents, Ormal and Olive, took in and raised the children of the Caylor family after their mother passed on. They all lived on a farm on Germantown Pike and every Easter we had a giant Easter egg hunt on the property. Joan helped organize the hunt and hide all the Easter eggs. Everyone had to hunt until they found the egg with their name on it. Joan made Holidays fun and special. Joan lived a long life surrounded by caring family and good friends. She outlived most everyone she knew.

Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 29, 2022, at Tobias Funeral Home – Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45429. Funeral service 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens Chapel, 8200 West National Road, New Carlisle, Ohio 45344. Pastor Jamie Vannoy from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church officiating. Burial Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com