Joan Elaine (Lesh) Hoke

Joan Elaine Hoke of Warsaw, Indiana went home to be with the Lord at 3:27 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of 67.

She was born on October 12, 1950 in Waterloo, Iowa to Melvin J. Lesh and Florence May (Hager) Lesh.  On July 10, 2004 she was married to Noel Hoke, who survives.

Joan graduated from High School in 1968 in La Porte City, Iowa, and continued her education at Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1972.  She taught school in Iowa, North Carolina, California, and worked at Grace Seminary West until moving to Winona Lake, Indiana in 1990 to work in the Advancement Department at Grace College and Seminary.  For a number of years she worked as an administrative assistant at Grace Brethren International Missions, and most recently she had been working at Carey Excavation in Warsaw.   She was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.  Joan loved people, especially her family….she will be dearly missed by her family, church family and countless friends. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 13 years, Noel Hoke (Warsaw, Indiana); three daughters:  Kelli (husband Scott) Schneider (Winona Lake, Indiana);    Kaylin (husband Emil) Dragan (Fort Wayne, Indiana); Karla (husband Don) Cosgrove (Winona Lake, Indiana); and three grandchildren:  Luke, Katie and Evan.  Also surviving are two brothers:  Jeff (wife Sheri) Lesh (La Porte City, Iowa); Jerry (wife Karen) Lesh (Marion, Iowa); and her sister:  Julie (husband Ron) Smith (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).  She was preceded in death by her parents, and her grandson Ben.           

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2108 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

Her funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 2018 at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. 

Memorial donations in Joan’s name may be directed to Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana  46590 and designated to Winona Lake Kids and would be appreciated by the family. 

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