Joan Clare Lesch

Joan, 94, passed away peacefully at her Lake Wawasee cottage surrounded by her family on Friday, September 15th. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in September 1929 to Robert and Margaret (Moran) Meyers.

Joan attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School and graduated from St. Agnes High School and St. Vincent School of Nursing.

Joan met William (Bill) Lesch, the love of her life, at the Riviera Club where he served as a lifeguard. They were married in November of 1950 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and began their family the following year.

Her husband’s work sent them and their growing family to Livingston, NJ and Cincinnati, OH before moving back to Indianapolis and joining St. Pius X Catholic Church in 1964.

Joan’s accomplishments and contributions were many, she was passionate as an advocate on behalf of the developmentally disabled after having their son, Joseph, who had Down syndrome. Her caring nature led her to become a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospice in her later years.

Joan loved spending time with her family at their cottage on Lake Wawasee. She was a compassionate, devoted, spiritually driven, gracious, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.

She was an unwavering believer in her Catholic faith and frequently prayed for any cause needing her attention. She loved her large family and developed extreme organizational skills to manage daily life. Her crumb cakes were legendary, as were her Thanksgiving dinners and dish drainer stacking skills.

She will always be best remembered for the loving kindness and welcoming heart she showed everyone she met.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Robert Meyers, sister Marge Minnis, and two sons, Michael and Joseph. She is survived by her children, William J. (Connie), Timothy (Ellen), John (Betsy), Anne, James (Teresa), Kathryn (Stacey), Tom (Debbie), and Tammy Moran. She was beloved and will be greatly missed by her sisters, Mary Lou Gorgol, Anne Lyons, Barbara Haines (David), 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 – 11:00am. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7200 Sarto Drive, on Saturday, September 23rd. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 followed by the burial at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in Joan’s name to Noble of Indiana, St. Pius X Catholic Church or The Arc of Indiana. Service entrusted to Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary and memorial tributes may be offered at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com.