Joan Irene Richard

Joan Irene Richard, age 88 of South Bend, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Memorial Hospital. The eleventh of twelve children, Joan was born on April 23, 1937, on her family’s farm in Bremen, Indiana, to the late Harry and Margaret (Dundon) Monhaut. She graduated from Madison High School and later earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. On June 25, 1960, she married Roger Richard at St. Dominic Church in Bremen. Roger preceded her in death on December 10, 1978.

She is survived by her children, Monica (Alex) Jensen of Portland, Connecticut, Alicia Young of Troy, New York, Vincent (Susan) Richard of Newport News, Virginia, and Andrew (Ruth) Richard of West Olive, Michigan. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, her sister, Cecilia (William) Dolan of South Bend, her sisters-in-law, Norma Monhaut of Bremen, Cecilia Pfledderer, Clara (George) White, and Celine Richard, all of South Bend, her brother-in-law, Ralph (Susan) Richard of Tucson, Arizona, her sister-in-law, Celine Richard, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandsons, Benjamin Richard and Thomas Jensen, her sisters, Margaret Williams, Ruth Monhaut, and Helen Smogor, her brothers, Joseph, Edward, Ralph, Richard, and B. Patrick Monhaut, her infant brothers, John and David Monhaut, and her brother-in-law Albert Richard.

Joan lived a life rooted in service. She devoted her life to teaching and caring for people with developmental disabilities and serving the elderly. Her compassion extended beyond her work, as she regularly delivered meals to those in need through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and offered her time and care to individuals living in group homes.

A longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Joan served faithfully in the church choir, funeral lunch committee, Rosary Society, and the Walk-In Food Pantry. She also remained active in the church’s senior group, valuing fellowship and community throughout her life.

In her free time, Joan enjoyed reading, sewing, canning fruits, playing Euchre and Scrabble with her weekly ladies’ groups, and cheering on her beloved Fighting Irish football team. Though reserved by nature, she possessed a quiet wit and gentle charm that often surprised those who knew her. She consistently placed the needs of others before her own and had a rare gift for truly listening, making each person she encountered feel seen, valued, and loved.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Monday, February 2, 2026 at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home, with recitation of the Rosary at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with interment to follow in Bremen Cemetery.

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