Joan A. Hemmelgarn

Joan A. Hemmelgarn, age 92 of Richmond, Indiana and formerly of New Hope, Ohio, died, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Arbor Trace in Richmond, Indiana. She was born on July 13, 1934, in New York, New York, daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Beksinski) Gemski.

A 1952 graduate of John Adams High School in New York, Joan and her late husband moved to Preble County in 1956. Joan was a devoted member of St. John Catholic Church in New Paris, Ohio where she was a member of the St. Anne Sodality. Joan was a dedicated volunteer for her community giving her time toward the Preble County Senior Center and Habitat for Humanity. She was an auxiliary member of the American Legion Post #665 in West Manchester, Ohio and a member of AARP.

In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Dale F. Hemmelgarn in 1985 and her brother Joseph Gemski in 2023.

Survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Tammy Hemmelgarn and Robert and Kristen Hemmelgarn; daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Byron Whittaker; 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, at St. John Catholic Church, 400 N. Spring Street, New Paris, Ohio 45347 with Father Jim Romanello officiating. Interment will be held in Spring Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the mass at the church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home-New Paris

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions please be made to the The Preble County Council on Aging, 800 E. St. Clair St., Eaton, Ohio 45320. Condolences may be sent to the family via the Guestbook at www.barnesfuneralhome.com