Joan E. Moss, 96, of Flora, died at 1:24 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, in her apartment at St. Elizabeth Assisted Living in Delphi. She had resided there since Dec. 1, 2021.
Joan was born in Francesville, Ind., on June 9, 1926, the second of four children born to Donald C. and Lillian A. Tiede Boulden. Her dad wanted to name her Nina June, but her mom would not hear of it. To compromise and appease her husband, her mom agreed to Joan’s middle name being Esther, after her dad’s mother. When Joan was nine, the family moved to Winamac where she graduated from high school in 1944.
Joan met her future husband on a blind date at Indiana Beach in Monticello. There were two couples on this blind date – two Flora guys and two Winamac gals. Joan hit it off with her friend’s date, Al Moss, and the rest is history. They married on Aug. 1, 1948, at the Winamac Christian Church and shared 57 years together before his death on July 23, 2005. Joan was not only Al’s partner in life, she was his partner in the family newspaper business, taking care of subscriptions and delivering newspapers.
Joan and Al built a new home on North Washington Street in Flora and moved there in 1950. That’s where they raised their three children – Susan, Joe and Dave. They remember her as a loving, but strict mother, practical and no-nonsense. She expected beds to be made, clothes picked up, no back talk, respect and good manners. Her children always knew what her expectations were, and the bar was set high.
They also remember no one kept a tidier house than Joan. She was always cleaning something. It was a family joke – “What is she cleaning now!” She developed a love of ironing as well and then it became, “What is she ironing now!”
Joan led by example. She joined the Flora Presbyterian Church in 1950 and was very active in the women’s organization. She was always there to lend a helping hand as a church leader and for Bible studies, Sunday School, funeral dinners, delivering Meals on Wheels, as a Thrift Shop worker and in her 90s washing dishes for the Oasis youth program. Joan was a faithful Christian and took to heart Christ’s teachings to help others. If someone had a financial or medical need and she could help make their lives better, she quietly did everything she could to make that happen.
Her children remember she would buy groceries for an elderly couple; she helped a young girl in the neighborhood get much needed eye surgery; she worked with the county’s migrant program; and after the tornadoes devastated Russiaville, she spent countless days there with the church ladies helping people salvage items and clean up debris.
While raising her children and working, she lovingly cared for her mother-in-law and later her mother, both residents at the former Brethren’s Home in Flora.
A few years ago one of her friends gifted her a copy of “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, inscribing inside, “Joan, This book was written just for you. You top the list of giving people.”
That was Joan. Giving came naturally. She would always pick up the tab at a restaurant if you would let her and argue with you if you wouldn’t. She just liked to do nice things for other people, not wanting or expecting something for herself.
It was hard not to be drawn to Joan. She laughed easily and loved to have a good time and a glass of wine. After Joan and Al retired in 1991, they spent the winter months in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., to be near her two sisters and their husbands. After working and raising a family, she relished those days spent in Florida. She especially enjoyed entertaining, ladies’ luncheons and trips, dinners at the Legion and VFW, and Friday nights at Doc Ford’s.
Joan was also involved in some local groups. She was a retired member of Beta Alpha Chapter, Psi Iota Xi, philanthropic sorority, and was active in Carroll County Singles until it disbanded. In recent years she joined a supper/card group, looking forward to her Friday nights with the girls.
Joan maintained a special relationship with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her nieces and nephews occupied a special place in her heart as well. She enjoyed seeing them and hearing about their lives. They were loved by her and important to her and they knew it.
Joan is survived by her children, Susan Scholl (Gary) of Flora, Joseph Moss (Tamara) of Mulberry and David Moss (Christie) of Goshen; seven grandchildren, Drew Scholl (Julie) of Carmel, Maggie Randle (Eric) of Flora, Shelby Moss of Lafayette, Shanna Oberle of Indianapolis; Asher Moss, Austin Moss and Allie Moss, all of Goshen; four great-grandchildren, Brenton Jackson of Flora, Ethan Randle of West Lafayette, Oliver Scholl of Carmel, and Chloe Clark-Gray of Indianapolis; and a sister, Bette Varga of Notre Dame, Ind.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings and spouses, Maxine Compton (Bob), Donald “Bud” Boulden (JoAnne) and Tom Varga.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Flora Presbyterian Church. Pastor Charles Compton and Jason Burns will lead the service. Inurnment will be private for the family.
Memorials may be made to the Flora Thrift Shop or the Flora Presbyterian Church.
Day & Genda Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.dayandgenda.com.