Obituary: Joan Lee Walz

Joan Lee Walz (June 1, 1935 – January 30, 2023)

Joan Lee Walz, 87, of Manchester, passed away peacefully Monday, January 30, 2023, at Linden Square Assisted Living Center, Saline. Joan’s family and friends will gather Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 10am to 11am at Emanuel United Church of Christ, 324 W Main St, Manchester. Her funeral service will be following visitation at 11am. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Manchester, to follow. Rev. Dr. Gene Blair will serve as celebrant.

She was born on June 1, 1935, in Manchester at Mrs. Gumpper’s Private Hospital to Ferdinand and Lelah (Ridley) Huber. Joan married the love of her life, Forest Walz, on February 4, 1956, in Manchester. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She started her career as a legal secretary for Bill Conlin in Ann Arbor. Forest and Joan then spent 29 years on the fair circuit hauling the double Ferris wheel. She did all kinds of jobs with the carnival from bookkeeping to driving the truck and camper. They would start in Alabama and work their way back to Michigan. She then returned to working at Conlin Law until her first grandchild was born. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She enjoyed spending time creating photo albums for each of them.

Joan will be missed by her husband, Forest; her son, Jonathan (Carrie) Walz; grandchildren, Jessica (Alec) Kaker, and Anna, Olivia, and Jackson Walz; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Margaret Lee Huber; and brother, Robert (Yvonne) Huber.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Emanuel United Church of Christ. Please leave a message of comfort for Joan’s family or sign her guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.