JOAN K. AHLERS, 73,
of New Bremen, died on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 12:44 A.M. at the Lima Memorial Hospital. She was born on January 20, 1948 in Celina, the daughter of the late Dellious E. and Donna May (Longsworth) Denney. On January 27, 1964, she married William C. Ahlers who died on November 8, 2009. Surviving are her children Melissa (Michael) Schott of New Bremen, Mark (Lisa) Ahlers of Anna, and a son in-law Tim Bowers of New Bremen; her ten grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish her memory are her siblings Ida Valentine of Canal Winchester and Gene (Judy) Denney of Norwalk. Along with her parents and husband, Joan was preceded in death by a daughter Christine Bowers and a brother in-law John Valentine.
Joan was a woman who spent a great deal of time with her family and friends. She and Bill took countless trips with their children to the various state parks around Ohio to go camping in their 5th wheel camper, and continued camping later in life. They also frequented Glacier Hills outside of Wapakoneta for many years. She had worked for Crown Equipment Corp. in New Bremen for more than 25 years, first in plant 1 assembling rotators, and later in plant 7 assembling wire harnesses. She loved retirement and making her own schedule. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends, and also taught her children and grandchildren how to play card games such as euchre, pinochle and shanghai. She enjoyed taking bus trips to casinos, playing bingo, going to the movie theatre, watching anything on Lifetime television, and collecting TY beanie babies. Joan will be remembered as being a caring mother and loving grandmother, and someone who was a fighter her entire life.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with Rev. Becky Erb Strang officiating. Interment will follow in the Elm Grove Cemetery of St. Marys. Calling hours will be held prior to the services on Saturday, October 2, at the funeral home from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the services. Memorial contributions in Joan’s memory can be made to the New Bremen Emergency Squad or a charity of the donor’s choice. The family is being assisted by the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, and online condolences to the family may be left at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.