Joan Groce Obituary

Joan A. Groce

Joan A. Groce, 94, of Tiffin, died at 10:45 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025, at The Gables of Green, Uniontown. She was born June 17, 1930, in Carey, Ohio, on the farm to the late William and Hazel (Wentling) Cole. She married John Wesley Groce March 21, 1959, in Findlay, he died March 30, 2010. A son, Daniel Walter Groce, died March 26, 2007. Her brother, Robert Cole, died February 25, 1998.

Survivors include her daughter, Alisa Marie and her husband, Clifford Sprague of North Canton; grandson, Michael Cotyk; granddaughter, Courtney Cotyk; step grandchildren, Anna Howell (Sprague), Kathryn Taftaf (Sprague); three step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rose Marie Cole and her extended family, Phillip Christy (Alissa), Tom Christy (Amanda) and their children, Dee Christy, nephew David Cole (Heather) and his family.

After graduating from Carey High School in 1948, she attended Cincinnati College of Music and transferred to Ohio Wesleyan, graduating in 1952. She later earned her Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Ball State University in 1958. She was Director of Christian Education and youth work and choir director at Westwood United Methodist Church of Findlay 1958-1960, Tiffin City Schools 1960-1961, Heidelberg University 1960-1962, and Adult Christian Education at Trinity United Church of Christ 1970-1975, and assisted in starting the Tiffin Seneca County Child Care Center.

She organized and was Director of the Info Center, now First Call For Help, with the United Way, and later was Case Manager and Director of Compass at Sandusky Valley Mental Health Center, finally retiring in 1992.

Joan's life was given to music and church ministry and social services. She organized Seneca County Habitat for Humanity, president of the board, Trustee of Sandusky Valley Center Board, Tiffin Seneca Child Care Center Board and member of Seneca County Community Council. Other groups and activities were singing in the church choir, serving on various committees; Faith Circle, Pax Christi, Saint Francis, League of Women Voters, Heidelberg Woman's book club and the Tiffin Library book group, Heidelberg University Music and Theatre was a special interest, as a member of the Heidelberg Community Choir.

She liked traveling with her husband John, especially to North Carolina, to visit his southern family, and they spent many of their winter months living in North Carolina. They also traveled to China, Africa and Europe and loved sharing their experiences with others. John taught Organic Chemistry at Heidelberg University for 36 years which provided new experiences along with student and faculty friendships. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities. She moved to Saint Francis Villas in 2010 where she found a helpful and caring community.

She always said, "Life is good!" and looked forward to whatever came next.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10-11 a.m., with the funeral service following at 11 a.m., at Trinity United Church of Christ. Rev. Karsten Snitker will officiate. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, in St. Francis Convent Cemetery, Tiffin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heidelberg University Music Department, The John Groce Chemistry Prize at Heidelberg, Seneca Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Without Borders, or Pax Christi USA.

Arrangements are under the direction of TRAUNERO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113.

To send online condolences to the family or order flowers, go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com.