Joan T. Paulus

services

January 24 | Visitation

Friday 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Gehret Funeral Home

January 24 | Memorial Service

Friday 10:30 AM Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. Denis Church in Versailles

obituary

Joan T. Paulus

October 14, 1942 - January 20, 2025

Joan (Joni) Theresa Paulus,

Age 82, of Warren Street, Versailles, passed away peacefully of natural causes early Monday morning, January 20th, 2025, surrounded by her family at her sister’s residence in Fort Loramie, Ohio.  With deep sadness and heartfelt love, Joni will be remembered as a woman of strength, faith, and warmth.  Known also for her love of family, friends, baking, reading, a good, strong cup of coffee in the morning, and jigsaw puzzles, she forged her own path and was not swayed by anyone.  Joan was made of quick wit, laughter, and fierce independence. She will always be a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, Godmother, and friend.

Joan was born on October 14, 1942, in Greenville, Ohio.  She was the fifth of 6 children to Margaret and Cletus Paulus.  She graduated from Versailles High School and upon graduation pursued her cosmetology degree in Dayton, Ohio, where she became a skilled and much-loved hairstylist.  Throughout her years in Dayton, she always made time to style the hair of her mother, sisters, and nieces. Joan’s adventurous spirit led her to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where she spent many years working in the accounting office at K-Mart, forging lasting friendships and experiences along the way. In the latter part of her life, Joan lived in Illinois and Wisconsin before ultimately returning to Versailles to be closer to her mother and extended family.

From an early age, Joan showed independence and a zest for life.  She was a self-taught baker, and her cookies are legendary in our family. We all considered ourselves lucky and blessed when Joan delivered some of her famous cookies. Her beautiful smile, infectious laughter, and joyful heart will forever be with those of us who loved her. Most recently, we enjoyed how Joan would share stories and updates about the wonderful and caring friends and neighbors she connected with upon her return to Versailles.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret (Lallemand) and Cletus Paulus, and brothers Dr. Richard Paulus, Edward Paulus, and infant brother Peter Paulus. She is survived by her two loving sisters, Mary Angela Mulligan-Pohl, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Anne Barhorst, Fort Loramie, Ohio, her many cherished nieces and nephews, and friends and neighbors who will deeply miss her.

Joan’s memory and legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her, a testament to the incredible woman she was—strong, loving, and fiercely independent. Her love for God and family, her steadfast faith, her kindness, her unwavering resiliency, and her passion for life will forever inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 24, 2025, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with Rev. Matt Feist presiding.  Interment will follow at St. Valbert Cemetery.  Family and friends may call Friday, 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.  Memorials may be made to Hospice of Dayton or charities of choice.  Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.

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Gehret Funeral Home64 Elm St, Fort Loramie, OH 45845 Phone: (937) 295-5272Get directions