Joan Louise Carpenter, 84, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026.
Joan was born on August 23, 1941, in Mansfield, Ohio, to the late George and Virginia Rhodes.
Joan lived a long and full life centered around the people she loved most—her family. She enjoyed simple pleasures such as playing rummy, working crossword puzzle books, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. She especially enjoyed a good game of Aggravation, where she was never afraid to knock someone’s marbles off the board if it meant winning the game. Those moments brought laughter and many cherished memories to her family.
Joan was married to the love of her life, Jerry T. Carpenter Sr., in 1960. Together they shared 11 years of marriage and had their children: Vickie (Carpenter) Smarr, Jerry “Tom” Carpenter Jr., Diane Carpenter, and Johnny Carpenter. After the passing of Jerry Sr., Joan spent many years with her long time companion, Hank Griffith and they had a daughter, Connie (Griffith) Dininger.
She is also survived by her siblings Stanley Rhodes and Carol Walker, sister-in-law Marilyn Rhodes, as well as her twelve grandchildren: Jennifer (Randy) McGregor, Joey (Beth) Born, Jeremy (Andrea) Born, Jessica Ferenbaugh, Crystal (Beau) Long, Holly (Mike) Mitchell, Jerry (Celeste) Carpenter, Alan Carpenter, Krista Rose, Tanner Plichta, and Dylan Strouse. Joan was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren who brought great joy to her life, along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry T. Carpenter Sr.; beloved companion Hank Griffith, her brothers Bill (Sarah) Rhodes and Jerry Rhodes, and her grandsons Michael Born and Thomas “T.J.” Carpenter,
Joan will be remembered for her love of family, her competitive spirit around the game table, and the many special memories she created with those who loved her. Though she will be deeply missed here on earth, her family finds comfort in knowing she has been reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, her parents, her brothers, and her grandson, and is now at peace surrounded by those who went before her.
Friends may call Friday, March 20, 2026 from 11 am to 12 noon in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where a memorial service will follow at 12 pm. Pastor Patrick Bailey will officiate and a graveside committal service will be held in Bellville Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Snyder Funeral Homes.
Funeral Home: Bellville Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com