Joan Marie (Hoffman) Johnson died September 25, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Madison, Indiana, on February 2, 1932, the only child of William F. and Genevieve (Zapp) Hoffman.

Joan graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University and completed graduate work at Michigan State University. She taught English, Music and Speech in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in South Haven and Monroe, Michigan.

She married 2nd Lt. Howard A. Johnson at St. Mary's Church in Madison, Indiana. The couple celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on August 13, 2026.

Joan loved planning and preparing family celebrations, gardening, flower arranging, and cooking for family and friends. Joan was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She considered volunteering at church and local civic organizations a privilege, and served as president of the Mercy Memorial Hospital Guild, the Monroe City Garden Club, and the Monroe County Community College Faculty Spouses, along with several PTO groups. At St. John the Baptist Church, she was a member of the parish council and served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, religious education teacher, and funeral luncheon chairman.

In addition to her husband, Joan is survived by a son, Mark (Risa) Johnson of Chelsea; three daughters, Lynda Johnson of Topinabee, Meg (Gregg) Aho of Waterford, and Leigh (Peter) Fitzpatrick of Ortonville; three grandchildren, Marcia (Nicholas) Loop of Chelsea, Lisa (Craig) Broulik, and Sandra (Kalei) Whittle of Kaneohe, Hawaii; and six great-grandchildren, Alexander, Archer, Livi, Nico, AJ and Cassandra.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1st at Bacarella Funeral Home where the Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Joan will lie in state Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. by Rev. Fr. Michael Anagbogu. She will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI.

Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the American Heart Association.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.