Joan Schmiesing age 81 of New Bremen, Ohio, died on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 4:00 AM at the Mercer County Community Hospital, of Coldwater, Ohio.

She was born on March 5, 1934 in Santa Fe, Auglaize County, Ohio, to the late Eldon and Viola (Steinke) Oakley. On June 6, 1953 she married Donald A. Schmiesing in Fryburg, Ohio, who died on October 18, 2015.

Surviving are their children Debra (Joe McGregor) McKinley of Bonita Springs, FL, Robert (Deb) Schmiesing of Anna, Brenda (Mitch) Holdgreve of Minster, Larry (Debbie) Schmiesing of New Bremen, Kathy (Ken) Schmiesing of Celina, Nancy (Jack) Klenke of New Bremen, and Karen (Harry) Smith of New Bremen, twenty-four grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, her siblings Phyllis (Nelson) Schaub of Wapakoneta, Francis Oakley of Lakeview, and Connie (Danny) Schaub of Botkins, her in-laws Viona (Virgil) Wermert and Jeannette Schmiesing all of Coldwater, and Yolanda Schmiesing of New Bremen.

Along with her parents and husband, Joan was preceded in death by a grandchild, and a son-in-law Paul McKinley.

Joan was a member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen. She enjoyed spending time with her family and attending the grandchildren's various activities. She liked to read, play cards and play board games.

She retired in 1995 after 20 years of working for Crown Equipment Corporation of New Bremen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen with the Rev. Robert Hadden officiating. Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery of New Bremen.

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 2:00 until 6:00 PM at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and from 9:00 until 10:00 AM Monday at the church, at which time the Rosary will be prayed.

The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the State of the Heart Hospice.

Condolences to the Schmiesing family may be left online at gilberghartwigfh.com.