Joan Axtell

Joan Axtell, 89, of Eugene, Indiana, stepped into the loving arms of the Lord, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Union Hospital in Clinton, Indiana.

She was born in the middle of an ice storm February 16, 1936, in Horseshoe, Indiana, daughter of the late Joseph and Ocie (Taylor) Gebhart.

Joan married Tommy Axtell on January 2, 1953, in Eugene, Indiana, and he preceded her in death on June 20, 2015.

She is survived by her children: Steve Axtell, Joetta (Gabe) Hathaway, Brent (Amy) Axtell, and Cary (Walter) Jones; her grandchildren: Erica (Jason) Wright, Brant (Taylor) Hathaway, Eliza (David) Porter, Derryn (Carol) Axtell, Paxton Axtell, Deakin Axtell, Walter Jones Jr., Joseph (Chelsey) Jones and Benjamin Jones; her great-grandchildren: Makaylee (Rodney), Gabriel, Thomas, Andrew, Brantley, Camille, Greer, Georgia, Jenny, Conrad, Corbin, Emma and Emery; her sister: Marilyn Whittington; her sisters-in-law: Peggy Yoho and Carma Axtell; childhood friend: Loretta Juvinal; a few cousins; many nieces and nephews, as well as her church family that she loved dearly.

Along with her husband, Joan was preceded in death by a son: George Axtell; a granddaughter: Emma Grace; a great-grandson: Isaiah; infant sisters: Linda and Fauniel; and an older sister: Ruth Purple

She was a member of Eugene Harvest Days and also a lifetime member of the Eugene Methodist Church where she was also the song leader for many years. Joan was a second-generation Hand Quilter and would set for hours putting tiny stitches into the quilt tops she made. She had quite the hat collections and would be adorned in one when she would attend church and other occasions. Tommy and Joan would put big gardens in every year. After Tommy’s passing, she would work into the wee hours of dusk in her flower beds trying to find peace and solace in losing him after 62 years of marriage. She couldn’t pass up a good rummage sale, and if you couldn’t find her in the house, she would be out puttering in Tommy’s wood shop. She would pick through the wood scraps that he eventually would use for firewood, but she knew she could make something out of nothing. Most of all, Joan loved the time spent with her family. She loved it when we would all come home for special occasions. She was our Rock, and we will miss her deeply!!

Joan was laid to rest at Eugene Cemetery in Eugene, Indiana. A private service was held at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s DeVerter Chapel 215 N. Division Street in Cayuga, Indiana.

Memorials in Joan’s name may be made to the Eugene Methodist Church.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s DeVerter Chapel 215 N. Division Street in Cayuga, Indiana is honored to be caring for the family.

Please join the family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.