Joan Irene Bent

Joan Irene Bent (Funke) passed away peacefully on October 14, 2025, in Canton, Ohio, at the age of 74. Born on January 23, 1951, in Akron, Ohio, she was the beloved daughter of Alvin Frank and Margaret Funke (Munkacsy), both of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by her older sister, Kathleen Louise Raines, and family.
Joan was raised in Akron and graduated from Kenmore High School, where she began a lifelong journey rooted in family, faith, and quiet strength. She shared fifty-one devoted years of marriage with her late husband, James Stephen Bent, building a life filled with love, resilience, and enduring partnership.
In 1982, Joan and her family made a cross-country move to Mesa, Arizona, drawn by Jim's job opportunity and the promise of sunshine, where they also planted deep roots and built lasting friendships that spanned decades. In 2017, Joan and Jim moved out of their lifelong home to live closer to their daughter in their later years. In 2024, Joan sold her home and eventually moved in with Christina for the winter and spring months. She looked forward to embracing a new chapter as a "snowbird" - spending summer and fall in Ohio with Stacy and Scott, and winters and spring in Arizona with Christina and her family.
She was a devoted homemaker and is survived by her two daughters, Stacy Ann Davis and Christina Louise King; her sons-in-law, Scott Michael Davis and Jody Rick King; her grandchildren, Jacob Allan Goliath, Sarah Christine Dunnette and her husband Dalton William Dunnette, Mason Craig Goliath, Ethan Jody King, and Emma Lilianne King; and her great-grandson, Grayson James Dunnette. She is now reunited in heaven with her beloved grandson, Craig James Goliath "CJ."
Joan pursued courses in accounting and held a variety of positions throughout her life, including working in the cash office at Montgomery Wards in Mesa, Arizona. Yet her most cherished and enduring role was that of a devoted wife and mother. Known affectionately as the "Party Queen," Joan - alongside her party partner Jim - was the heart of every celebration. Whether it was a birthday, graduation, Fourth of July, or simply a Sunday evening, they brought people together with unforgettable meals, laughter, and love. She never missed a birthday or anniversary, always finding a way to honor those she cared about, no matter how big or small the occasion.
Joan came from a richly creative maternal lineage - a legacy shared by several family members. She enjoyed exploring her creativity by drawing, painting, creating crafts, sewing, and writing poems throughout her life.
A lifelong lover of classic cinema, Joan cherished timeless films like Sabrina, The Wizard of Oz, It's a Wonderful Life, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. She delighted in "Christmas in July" and every other month on the Hallmark Channel and held a special place in her heart for Disney classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Snow White - stories that echoed her belief in magic, innocence, and happily-ever-afters.
Her favorite shows brought laughter and comfort into her home: General Hospital, Reba, The Golden Girls, Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond were among her go-to programs. She especially enjoyed watching these shows in the evening, paired with a perfectly balanced "sweet-and-salty" snack.
Joan also had a deep appreciation for music with a good beat - she has been known to dance around the house to Huey Lewis and the News, Neil Diamond, and Cher. She especially loved "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Don't Worry, Be Happy," and the soothing rhythms of Native American music.
Her true happy getaway was the "Happiest Place on Earth," where she found joy in the wonder, warmth, and storytelling that defined her own life - full of love, laughter, and a touch of magic. Christmastime also held a special place in her heart, where she would help her kids decorate the tree, bake a dozen different holiday treats to give graciously to her neighbors, while listening to her collection of Christmas records playing in the background. Joan found joy in life's simple pleasures and cherished every moment spent with her family.
Joan enjoyed traveling to new places with her family. She was always a willing co-pilot on everyday errands and loved going to restaurants. She liked strolling through seasonal festivals, swap meets, and local zoos. She had a knack for finding hidden treasures and antiques while browsing yard sales or thrifting. Some of her favorite pastimes included bowling, baking goodies, playing miniature golf, and trying her luck at the slot machines. Joan shared laughs playing one-on-one basketball with her daughters, and she never turned down a good board or card game.
Joan was a lifelong supporter of kid creativity, school fundraisers, and, alongside her husband, gave to a range of charitable causes over the years - always finding quiet ways to uplift the people and communities they cared about. She was baptized as an infant at Saint Augustine Church in Barberton, Ohio, and carried her Christian faith with grace and quiet conviction throughout her life.
She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose kindness and respect extended to everyone she met. Soft-spoken and thoughtful, Joan listened more than she spoke, offering insight, warmth, and a heart that made others feel seen and valued. Those closest to her saw her reserved humor and her deep appreciation for the simple joys of life - the kind that made every moment feel like home.
A celebration of Joan's life will be held for family and friends by Stacy during an open house at the Cherry Blossom Banquet Hall, located at 735 E. Cherry Street in Canal Fulton, Ohio, on Friday, October 24th, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. In honor of one of Joan's favorite Slavic traditions, cabbage rolls will be served - a dish she loved and a culinary tradition she proudly passed down to her daughters, along with mashed potatoes and sausage. A formal memorial service will be held at a later date by her daughters in Arizona, where she will be laid to rest in eternity next to her beloved husband at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa.
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