“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” Joan McKown was a good teacher. She inspired countless people during her time at Lucas High School and she will live on in the hearts and minds of her students.
Joan Louise McKown passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2014 in her Lexington home with her dedicated husband nearby. She was 68.
Born April 6, 1946 in Fairview Park, Ohio, she was the daughter of Robert and Marjorie (Valmore) Heffelfinger.
She was a 1964 graduate of Fairview Park High School and a 1968 graduate of Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan with a degree in History and Social Studies. She also attained a Masters degree in Teaching from Marygrove College in 1999. Joan taught History, Social Studies and Psychology at Lucas High School for 27 years. Her enthusiasm, compassion and devotion to her students was evident as she tried to help every student do as well as that student could do. Her love of teaching helped her to be an excellent and gifted teacher.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Albert (Jim) McKown, parents Robert and Marjorie Heffelfinger of Delaware, Ohio, daughter Kristalyn of St. Albans, England, son Gary (Heidi) and granddaughter Maggie of Monroe, North Carolina, sisters Barbara (Larry) Smith of Athens, Alabama and Constance (Randy) Wedeven of Holland, Michigan, niece Amy (Rick) Wright of Athens, Alabama, nephews Robert (Jennifer) Smith of Lewis Center, Ohio and Jeffery (Andrea) Smith of Dublin, Ohio, cousins Kimberly (John) Chase of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lawrence (Lena) Valmore of Cololrado Springs, Colorado, and Douglas Valmore of Indianapolis, Indiana.
She was preceded in death by grandparents Gust and Amy Heffelfinger and Earl and Louise Valmore, an uncle Earl Valmore, an aunt Dorothy Valmore and a nephew David Valmore.
Family and friends may visit Sunday, December 28, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in United Methodist Church of the Cross, 236 Otterbein Drive, Lexington. The Rev. Susan Lausch will officiate and burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Joan’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence to them at SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
