Joan Carolyn Robison

Joan Carolyn Robison, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, and woman of faith, passed away peacefully at her home in North Manchester, Indiana, on December 25, 2025, at the age of 89.

Born on September 1, 1936, in Oakland, California, to John T. Clark and Helen Margret (Irwin) Sexton, Joan spent her early years in Pasadena before her family moved to Victorville, California. She graduated from Victorville High School and went on to earn her undergraduate degree from La Verne University.

On October 10, 1958, Joan married Richard Robison, beginning a life filled with love and adventure. Their house was soon bursting with children, but Joan never slowed down. While pregnant with their fifth child, Joan spent an entire summer camping in Alaska with their four sons after Richard received a research grant to study near Anchorage. When the program’s housing couldn’t accommodate the growing family, Joan—undeterred—pitched a tent, fished for dinner, and fully embraced the adventure.

Their big van often doubled as a traveling home, with wet laundry hung out the windows to dry as they drove cross-country again and again. Everywhere they went, Joan made new friends and fearlessly immersed her family in new communities, from churches to Scout troops. With her feisty sense of humor, love of adventure, fondness for sneakers, and uncanny ability to connect with anyone, she never met a stranger—only a friend in the making.

A passionate educator and ever unfazed by the chaos of parenthood, Joan earned her Master’s degree in Education from Michigan State University while pregnant with her seventh child. She and Richard deeply valued education, traveling around the country whenever possible to attend many of their thirty-five grandchildren’s high school graduations.

When her oldest child left for college, Joan found the house too quiet with only six remaining children living at home, so she and Richard opened their hearts and home to foster children. Over the years, they fostered many children and formally adopted two. Joan had a gift for making people feel seen, loved, and welcomed, and she was almost always holding Richard’s hand—connected to everyone she met, but especially to him.

Her life was deeply rooted in faith. She was an active member of Sweetwater Assembly of God in North Manchester and treasured her involvement in the “Tuesdays at 2” Bible Study group, sharing her wisdom, encouragement, and devotion with all who attended.

Joan found joy in life’s simple pleasures—bargain hunting at Raber’s, TV marathons, gardening, and regaling her family with well-loved stories. Known for her “gift of gab,” she could hold a conversation with anyone.

Just 36 hours before her passing, Joan prophetically reflected, “I only ever wanted to be a wife and mother, and God gave me everything I wanted. I’ve been blessed.”

Joan’s legacy lives on in her family, the center of her life. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Richard Robison; her children, Wayne Robison, David (Corinne) Robison, Gary Robison, Allan (Pati) Robison, Mark (Ingrid) Robison, Joani (Sam) Hazleton, Lauri (Todd) Hess, Larry (Whitney) Robison, and Luann (Ryan) Boswell; thirty-five grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and her sister, Alberta Lopez of Sylmar, California. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Helen Marie.

Family and friends may call Friday, January 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Sweetwater Assembly of God, 2551 State Road 114 East, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services will begin at the conclusion of calling with Pastor Jeremy Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in North Manchester, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers (which Joan would have found too pricey), those who wish to honor her memory may make memorial contributions to Sweetwater Assembly of God (Memo line: Missionary Support).

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to McKee Mortuary for their care and support during this time.