Joan Oetjen

Joan Carolyn Coultrap Showers Ducotey Oetjen, 90 a resident of Copeland Oaks in Sebring, Ohio passed away September 10, 2008 at Alliance Community Hospital. Born December 20, 1917 in Akron, Ohio to Clara (nee Scheffler) and John Henry Coultrap, Jr. She graduated from Ellet High School in Akron in 1935, a graduate of the Actual Business College, Akron in 1936 and earned a BA in Sociology and Philosophy of Religion from Kent State University in 1972. Joan was employed in the Credit Department at Akron Furniture Company from 1936-1941 and was the Administrative Assistant to the Dean in the College of Education, Kent State University 1956-1978. Joan was an Ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church and presently a member of the Bunker Hill United Methodist Church in Beloit, Ohio. She previously held memberships in Oak Hill Presbyterian Church in Akron, Randolph Ohio United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church and United Church of Christ in Kent, Ohio. She is survived by her husband, Robert A. Oetjen of Sebring, sons; Gary E. (Elaine) Showers of Lewes DE, Ralph Showers of Montoursville, PA, four daughters; Sharon (Dean) Hoover of Lewes, DE, Jacy Showers of Warrenton, VA, Nancy Showers of Edison, NJ and Marilyn Showers of Peabody, MA. She is also survived by stepchildren; Susan Ducotey Murphy of Gilbert, AZ, Barbara Oetjen (Larry) Miller of Cleveland, TN, Charlene Oetjen (Richard) Gordon of Pinole, CA, Margaret Oetjen (William) Williams of Humble, TX, Charles (Sandy) Oetjen of Alliance, OH and Marilyn Oetjen (Ed) Philipp of Long Beach, CA, stepbrothers; Kenneth Klar of Sun City AZ, Russell Klar of Tallmadge, OH, 17 grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren plus numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at Copeland Oaks, Bennett Chapel on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM with Rev. Jerri Bell-Brion officiating. Memorial contributions can be made in Joan’s memory to; the Bunker Hill United Methodist Church 15096 W. Middletown Rd. Beloit, OH 44609, the Copeland Oaks Life Care Fund, 800 S. 15th Street Sebring, OH 44672 or the Oetjen Scholarship Fund at Malone College 515 25th Street NW Canton, OH 44709. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may view the obituary and sign the guest register on line at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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