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Joan Spevak Obituary
Joan Helene
Joan Helene (Koch) Spevak, 83, died surrounded by her loving family at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on January 4, 2014. She was born January 21, 1930, to Charles T. and Edna Bartelt Koch in Toledo, Ohio. A 1947 graduate of Edward Drummond Libbey High School in Toledo, she studied Education at the University of Toledo. Joan married Wilfred Spevak in 1949, starting a marital adventure which continued for 57 years. Joan was a dedicated full time mother and cherished participating in her children's endeavors, including Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, parent teacher organizations, mothers clubs, Sunday School, chauffeur, and countless other activities.
A lifelong devoted member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Joan attended Trinity Lutheran School from 1934 until 1943, and was active at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church until moving to West Toledo in 1955. She was a member of Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church for 50 years, active in Choir, the Women's League, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Altar Guild, usher, numerous support services, and instrumental in the creation of Holy Cross Elementary School. Her most recent affiliation was with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Joan's greatest legacy to the families of northwest Ohio was the foundation of one of the first child day care programs in the Toledo area. Many thousands of children and families have known first hand her trustworthy and loving nature, generosity of spirit, and commitment to integrity. Joan and Wilfred founded Holy Cross Day Care in 1974, and the program continues to this day (now named Love 'n Learn Educational Child Care). She worked tirelessly to ensure that the needs of children and parents were met each and every day. Joan continued to provide support to the children and families for forty years, instilling a sense of confidence and trust in working parents.
Joan started Holy Cross Day Care in the basement of the church, using Army cots for naptime and peanut butter and jelly for the first lunch. The program grew from a first day enrollment of four children to over 100 children in the first year, largely due to Joan's tireless dedication to and love for the children and families in her care
Joan is survived by her daughter, Connie Spevak (Dan Bach); son, Clint Spevak; grandchildren, Catherine and Clayton Spevak; brother, Charles F. Koch (Margaret); nieces, Sandy Seelman (Vic), Bonnie Bartlett, Karen Koch Exton (Thomas), Lynne Spevak Menke (Andrew), and Teri Spevak; nephews, Gene Campbell (Debby), Bill Campbell, Michael Koch, Allen Bartlett (Sue), and Guy Spevak. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Wilfred Spevak; sisters, Barbara Bartlett Bohnert, Pamela Campbell and Imogene Koch.
Friends are invited to visit Wednesday, January 8, 2014, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue, Toledo. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2014, at Ansberg-West. Interment in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be left for Joan's family at
www.ansberg-west.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Spevak
Shannon (Welch), Jason, Logan, Dylan (Border) and Kenleigh
January 10, 2014
Just drove by Love n Learn & learned of Mrs. Spevak's passing. Connie, my heart goes out to you! Your parents were wonderful people who by the grace of God are now reunited. With Love, The Carmony's
Jessica Temple
January 10, 2014
Mr. and Mrs. had such a positive impact on so many young lives at Holy Cross. Many great life lessons learned from those two..I wouldn't be the person I am today without their care and love for so many years. I am eternally grateful!
Nicole, Sadie & Sofie
January 8, 2014
Mrs. You took care of all if us! You will be greatly missed. We appreciate all you have taught us and we will never forget you.
Dee, Lindsey & Courtney Hooven
January 8, 2014
Could not find anyone like Mr. and Mrs. Spevak who had such a passion for the care and love of our children. My children, grand-children and I will always cherish the memories.
Jim Light
January 8, 2014
I just found out about Mrs Spevak Passing, It is a sad sad day for me. Our children were bleseed to have her teach them at Holy Cross, She taught them such wonderful life lesson's and heaven is now a place she can watch over all her children and they can Walk boldly and wisely, There ia a hand above that will help you on.
Virgil Rybczynski
January 8, 2014
Connie,Sorry to hear of your loss....May She Rest In Peace...
January 8, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Bonnie (McCauley) Shinnick
January 7, 2014
Clint, so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
January 6, 2014
Mr. & Mrs. Spevak were wonderful teachers for my grandchildren. At both Holy Cross & Love and Learn. Mrs remembers them all. A wonderful Lady. Mrs.will always be loved and missed by many.. P. Gillespie. ( Nicole.. Amanda..Brady)
C.Bernius & Logan M
January 6, 2014
Mrs was a great lady. There are not many as caring as she. I was blessed with her being a part of my son's life at Holy Cross & Love n Learn. Mr & Mrs were great, caring people. Heaven definitely gained an special angel. Connie my thoughts & prayers are with you.
Susan Ehrhardt Hancock
January 6, 2014
Connie and Clint, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was a great lady and will be missed by all of us that had the pleasure of knowing her. Our love and prayers are with you.
Jeanne Feeny Bush
January 6, 2014
I am sorry for your loss. Mr. & Mrs. Spevak took loving care of my son over 35 years ago and I will always be grateful! God Bless.
Julie Kurth
January 6, 2014
When my children were in Mr. & Mrs. Spevak's care, I knew I had "nothing" to worry about. The most wonderful, caring people I had ever met. You truly were a blessing! God Bless You!
Robin (Fielding) Thalgott
January 6, 2014
I feel very blessed to have had Mr. and Mrs. have a hand in raising me. I have so many memories in the church basement with them. I was lucky to be able to watch and learn as a young adult when they gave me the opportunity to work with them during my summers in college. They definitely made this world a better place! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mike, Traci, Logan and London Hernandez
January 5, 2014
Such an amazing woman...
We send our love and prayers to Ms. Connie, Mr. Dan and the entire Love-n-Learn family.
Michael Kujawa
January 5, 2014
Sorry for your loss. My children attended Holy Cross until we moved from the area. My children have fond memories from their days there. My thoughts and prayers are with yor family. God bless.
Lori ( Wood) Carroll
January 5, 2014
My brother and I went to Holy Cross way back in the first few years it was open. Mrs. Spevak is still fondly remembered and I'm grateful our family was one of the countless families she touched over the years. What a blessing she was and she will be missed by so many!
Angela Dotson
January 5, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Spevak family. Mrs. was a remarkable woman and she will be remembered for her kindness and dedication to her families and staff.
January 5, 2014
God Bless You, Mrs. Spevak. You were such a kind and nurturing educator at Holy Cross.
Jackie Oswald
Todd and Ellen Palmer
January 5, 2014
We are so sorry to hear the news of the loss of Mrs. Spevak. Our children, Mitchell and Katie, have such fond memories of the time they spend at the day care and of the Mrs. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers as you go through this difficult time.
Sally Nicholas
January 5, 2014
My prayers are with the family that you will all find strength and peace through prayer. Mrs with be missed by everyone at Love and Learn. Although I only have had the pleasure of knowing Mrs for 1 year she was truly an insperation to me and definatly an idol of mine. She will never be forgotten.
January 5, 2014
Dearest Connie, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you & the family. Brad Thomas
January 5, 2014
heaven has definitely acquired another angel. Love you, Mrs.
Donna Gray
January 5, 2014
Ms.Connie and Mr.Dan...my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this celebration of Mrs' life. She is at peace and with her other family on the other side. RIH Mrs.
Leigh Cassell
January 5, 2014
Let heaven open the gates for this wonderful lady Joan and let her be greeted with all our angels!!!
Leigh Cassell
January 5, 2014
It was such a blessing to work with Joan , she was a wonderful lady who I will always remember her beautiful smile, heaven has another great angel!!! I will miss her!
Jenn Stein
January 5, 2014
I was blessed to have known Mrs. Caleb always loved giving her hugs!!!
Sasha Spevak
January 5, 2014
Great Aunt Joan wow what an amazing woman. I am so sorry I lost contact but I'm so happy that i was able to meet her and spend some time with her in the past. she truly was an inspiration and a wonderful person. Clint and Connie Im so sorry for your loss.
Claydia (Parsons) Hole
January 5, 2014
I woke this morning too find that God had a special angel at his side. I have so many wonderful memories of Joan and Holy Cross Day Care. I am blessed to have had Joan in my life.
Z Moebius
January 5, 2014
Thank you for taking care of me while I was in your preschool care. Your life was a blessing to me and so many others...
Alicia Monday
January 5, 2014
Mrs. was a wonderful woman and she touched so many people. Her love for children was endless. I was a student at Holy Cross many years ago and my daughter was a student at Love N Learn. We were both touched by her dedication and generosity. She will be forever missed. Prayers to everyone who was touched by her kindness.
Leanne Evans
January 5, 2014
So sorry for your loss! Mrs was such a sweet and caring person! My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family including the love and learn family!
With love, LeAnne, Zoie, Robert and Drew!
Gary Wemple
January 5, 2014
My condolences to the entire family.
Although I never met Joan, I have met and know her son Clint and consider him a friend. May Joan now rest in peace.
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