Joan Hartley

Joan (Bevis) Hartley, 79, of Bellevue lost her courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones.  She was born December 28, 1941, in Union County, Ohio, the daughter of Jay H. and Dorothy (Powell) Bevis.  

Joan grew up in Prospect, Ohio, and was a member of Prospect United Methodist Church.  During high school, she was a cheerleader for the Prospect Bulldogs and was active in band, choir, and FHA, where she earned the State Homemaker Degree. She graduated from Prospect High School in 1959.  Following her high school graduation, Joan attended Columbus Business University.  She worked as a secretary at Marion Power Shovel in Marion, Ohio and BF Goodrich in Green Camp, Ohio.  Joan was a candidate for Miss Heart of Ohio in 1961.

A mutual friend introduced Joan to William “Bill” Hartley, and she married the love of her life on March 2, 1963 in Prospect, Ohio.  Joan moved to the Bellevue area, and she and Bill began several successful businesses where she was co- owner and secretary-treasurer:  Hartley Farms, LLC, Hartley Grain, Inc., H & L Trucking, Inc., and Hartley Family Properties, LLC.  In 1996, Joan began her own business partnership, J & S Express, and managed the dispatch office.  She worked closely with Alro Steel Corporation, where she was known by many as “My Other Mom.”  Joan was an agent for Universal Truckloads, Admiral Merchants, Black Lake Ventures, Inc., and Ohio Transport.  Throughout her life, Joan worked from home, allowing her to raise her children and support their extracurricular activities.  Joan was a Girl Scout leader of Troop 707 and was active in the Erie Shores Girl Scout Council.  She was a 4-H advisor for Groton Farmers 4-H Club.  

Joan is survived by her husband, Bill, and their four children:  Kay Hartley of Clyde, Jeff (Teresa) Hartley of Bellevue, Lori (Steve) Ferenczy of Vermilion, and Jodi (J.C.) Lott of Bellevue; 26 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; sister, Sylvia Harmon of Prospect, Ohio; sisters-in-law, Sandy Rathbun of Bellevue and Sue Ferguson of Kalamazoo, MI; brothers-in-law, Richard Clingenpeel of Marion and Mike (Jan Fulton) Hartley of Bellevue; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law, Leroy “Jeff” and Ruth (Haff) Hartley; granddaughter, Sheena Marie Hartley; sister, (Mary) Jean Clingenpeel; brothers-in-law, Paul Harmon, Chet Ferguson, and Bill Rathbun; niece, Jennifer Harder; and nephews, Tim Rathbun and Troy Keller.

Friends will be received on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 5 - 7 pm at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue.  Additional calling hours will begin Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 9 - 11 am at Seybert United Methodist Church, 442 W. Main Street, Bellevue.  A Celebration of Joan’s Life will begin at 11:15 at Seybert.  Burial will follow at Parkhurst Cemetery.  Friends and family are invited to a luncheon at Seybert UMC.  

Memorials may be made to Seybert United Methodist Church or Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com

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