Joan Marie Chamberlin

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Joan Marie (McFadden) Chamberlin, of Bucyrus, on August 12, 2025. Joan passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Mansfield at the age of 88.

Joan was born July 21, 1937 in Barberton, Ohio to Donald and Mary (Clark) McFadden. She married Ralph Reed Chamberlin Sr. November 8, 1958 in Polk, Ohio. They were married 34 years until Ralph’s passing in 1993.

Joan graduated from Polk High School, where she first met Ralph, in 1955. She went on to get a degree in nursing from Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing, Ashland, in 1958. During her 50-year nursing career she worked at Samaritan Hospital, Knox Community Hospital, Bucyrus Community Hospital and Crawford County Council On Aging.

God created Joan to be a caregiver. She was knowledgeable and treated her patients with the utmost compassion and respect. She had a servants heart and true empathy for the suffering of others. She made herself available to help and advocate for family and friends facing health challenges. This devotion was most evident as she nursed Ralph through two open heart surgeries.

Joan loved her family and prized the time they spent together. She was a wonderful cook and loved when family gathered and shared a meal together. She was always welcoming and loved when her nieces and nephews made a surprise visit. She treasured her three sisters and time spent with them was full of laughter as well as sorrow as they navigated life together.

Joan accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Camp Sychar in Mt. Vernon in 1953. It was at Camp Sychar where she met her dear friend Carol Newland. Joan was a founding member of Bucyrus Alliance Church where she served as a deaconess for many years and formed lifelong friendships.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Ralph (Jackie) Chamberlin of Bucyrus, Nancy (Mark) Pelphrey of Mansfield, Christine (Michael) Lemanski of Ostrander, and Kenneth Chamberlin of Bucyrus. Joan is survived by seven grandchildren and one great grandson, whom she dearly loved, prayed for and doted on; Reed Chamberlin, Rachel Gardiner, Mary Pelphrey, Sarah (Adam) Groves, Thomas Lemanski, Laura (Dylan) Niese, Allison Chamberlin, and Silas Gardiner. Beloved sister Rebecca Rex of Ashland survives as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Patricia Lindecamp and Janet Stefanopoulos.

Funeral services will be held at Bucyrus Alliance Church on Friday August 15, at 11:00 am and the family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the time of the service. The Rev. William S. Strader Jr. will officiate with burial at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to Bucyrus Alliance Church.