Joan Wagner

DEFIANCE - Joan C. Wagner, age 92 of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by her family into the arms of Jesus and her husband Jim.

She was born in Bryan, Ohio on January 27, 1933, to the late Gilbert and Mildred (Sanders) Goebel. Joan was a 1951 graduate of Bryan High School. On October 15, 1955, she married James F. Wagner, who preceded her in death on July 17, 2012.

Joan was a faithful member of St. Michael's Ridge Catholic Church and was active in the Altar Rosary Society. She worked as a beautician for many years and drove a school bus for Northeastern Local Schools for 18 years. She was a member of Jewell Legion Ladies Auxiliary and was a Hospice volunteer. She enjoyed painting, gardening, baking pies and sugar cookies, going to casinos and playing cards, especially rummy. Joan was a woman of faith her whole life and loved her faith, family and church. She will be greatly missed by her family and many good friends.

Joan is survived by her loving children; Chris (Bob) Weber, Phil (Kathy) Wagner, Linda (Jack) Long, Marty (Terri) Wagner, all of Defiance, and Julie (Gary) Allard of Rossford, Ohio. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, with one more expected in February, and her sister, Mary Colyer.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by step-grandson Jason Allard, nine brothers and one sister.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 2, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Ridge Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. at the church, with Fr. Melwin D'Souza officiating. Joan will be laid to rest in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery.

Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center, Glenn Park, or St. Michael's Catholic Church. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.