print this page

Joan I. Townsend

Joan I. (Schaeffer) Townsend, of South Bend Twp., PA, passed away Friday, Mar. 19, 2021 at her daughter's home in Shady Plain, where she has been living since Oct. 2020, surrounded by family and friends.

She was born Jan. 24, 1941 in Burrell Township, PA, the daughter of Harry L. and Elsie I. (Riggle) Schaeffer.

Joan was a resident of South Bend, PA, since 1960, when she married Robert L. Townsend on Aug. 5, 1960. She worked for 30 years for Penn Needle Art Co., retiring in 2003 when they closed. Prior to that, she worked at the former Reefer's restaurant in Shelocta as nightshift waitress. Joan enjoyed spending time with her family and watching the hummingbirds and other birds at her many feeders. She also enjoyed going to casinos and collecting Fenton Cat figurines.

Her memory will be cherished by her loving daughter, Debbie (Townsend) Jamison and husband, Barry, of Shady Plain; a daughter-in-law, Marlene Townsend of Shady Plain; four step-grandchildren, Veronica Vukmanic and husband, John, of Stafford, VA, John Frank Kunkle, Jr. and wife, Nikki, of Girty, Wendy Kunkle and husband, Joe Yusko, of Monroeville, Charlotte Hewitt and husband, Justin, of Cranberry Twp.; ten step-great-grandchildren, Kenny, Matt, and Lexi Vukmanic, Alex, Kylee, and Josh Kunkle, Aidan and Logan Yusko, and Marshall and Deacon Hewitt; four sisters-in-law, Nancy Schaeffer, of Burrell Twp., Vivian Schaeffer of Elderton, Barbara Goldstrom of New Kensington, and Karen Townsend of Dayton; a brother-in-law, Donald Townsend and wife, Inez, of Shelocta; numerous nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Also a special thanks to her caregivers that helped out, Tammy, Patty, and Maggie.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Robert Leland "Bobby Lee" Townsend who died Dec. 5, 2014; a son, Richard L. Townsend, who died July 9, 2014; her father-in-law, Robert S. and mother-in-law, Janet (Smith) Townsend; two brothers, Harry "Jun" Schaeffer who died Feb. 2020, and Kenneth E. Schaeffer who died Feb. 2021; and two brothers-in-law, Robert Goldstrom and Ronald Townsend.

Family and friends will be received from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 27, 2021, at the Clark Chapel Funeral Home, 238 S. Main St., Elderton, with the Rev. Thomas C. Spiker officiating.

Burial will be in South Bend Cemetery.

Due to current regulations, all social distancing guidelines will be followed. Guests are respectfully asked to wear a mask or face covering.

print this page