Barbara Joyce Friesner (BJ) left this earthly realm to meet Jesus on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
She was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on December 10, 1939, to Robert and Doris Rawlings. The family of 6, including older brother Don and younger siblings Richard & Judy, moved frequently due to their father’s job. Their homes included Indianapolis, Brookfield (IL), and Indianapolis again before landing in Van Wert, Ohio.
Joyce graduated from Van Wert High School. She attended Bowling Green State Univ. (Ohio), completed her Bachelor’s degree at Goshen College (Indiana), and received her Master’s degree at St. Francis College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Joyce married Robert Friesner on November 27, 1958, in Van Wert, Ohio. Eventually the couple moved to Indiana. Their family grew as she gave birth to daughters Sherry, Deb, and Kate. She was able to balance motherhood with attending college part time to receive her teaching degrees. She loved being outdoors and shared her love of gardening with her girls. Memories of shelling peas, snapping beans, mashing apples for applesauce, and picking strawberries remain fresh in our minds. She also shared her love of reading with her daughters.
Her family grew to include sweet son-in-law’s and 4 adorable grandchildren (Ryan, Tyler, Kalee, & Maddie). She cuddled and read to them as babies, played with them as toddlers, and enjoyed fun games like Uno with them as youngsters. She shared her candy making skills with them. She was proud to see them grow into fine adults/young adults.
The teaching degrees were put to use in the West Noble Corporation as Joyce over the years amazingly taught at many grade levels…kindergarten, fourth, six, seventh, and eighth. Her firm, but gentle, manner touched the lives of hundreds of students over the years. In her words “They were all a joy to teach, and I learned much from the students.”. She continued to be a “learner” all her life. She taught for 31 years and retired in 1999. She remained close to many faculty friends after her retirement.
In retirement, she was known as Barb or BJ. She retired to the Plymouth area where she was blessed with many friends. She remained active in her retirement, including volunteer work at the local hospital and library. She enjoyed taking walks. She loved getting together with her friends to play games and go out for meals. She also enjoyed being part of a book club and Bible studies.
Her organization memberships include: Beta Sigma Phi and Delta Kappa Gamma (in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”). She served on the Ligonier Library board and as co-president of the West Noble Classroom Teachers Association. Barb was also a published poet, although this is something she never made public. She constantly showed her desire to help others in whatever way she could. She was a member of the United Methodist Church throughout her lifetime and was involved in a variety of church-related activities.
Her family is forever grateful to her caring Plymouth friends, and to the staff and caregivers at Autumn Trace, The Gables of Canton and Homestead Hospice for the loving care they each provided over the last 7 months. They are also grateful to her physical therapists and her rehab friend Elisha.
BJ loved and collected angels…. now she is with them.
She is survived by her three daughters Sherry Hughes, Deb (Larry) Miller, and Kate (Josh) Harris; her grandchildren Ryan Hughes, Tyler Hughes, Kalee Miller, and Maddie Harris; her sister Judy Sheets (nephew/niece Scott Sheets and Carrie Horzsa), her brother Richard Rawlings (nephew Kendrick Rawlings); her niece Christine Nelson and nephew Steven Rawlings; and many extended family members in the Friesner family.
BJ was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, and her brother Don Rawlings.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 from 4-6 pm at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street Plymouth, IN 46563. A funeral service will be held immediately after visitation at 6 pm with Rev. Byron Kaiser officiating.
Following Barbara’s wishes, she will be cremated and interred at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, IN.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org ) or the Marshall County Reading Council, P.O. Box 396, Plymouth, IN 46563.
Kathleen L Robertson says
So sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person to know and I always enjoyed helping her with tax stuff. She will be missed by all.
Kim Leaders says
To Mrs frisner’s family n friends I’m sooo sorry for ur loss. I lost contact w alot of my favorite teachers when I moved from west Noble in the fall of 91 including Mrs freisner. I loved my morning chats w Mrs freisner before school started n my daily classes w Mr freisner as well ” I have to say I got along better w him then my older brother but that’s not saying much as I got along better w many teachers then he did.” I know Mr n Mrs freisner r together once again n r Watchung over us all.
Kim ” arnett” leaders
Janet Derrow says
I’m so sorry for your families loss. She was my favorite teacher in 4th grade and really helped me through a difficult time in my life. I will never forget her and the kindness she showed me. Rest In Peace Mrs. Friesner
Connie Pipher says
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I was blessed to work with Joyce and Bob for many years at West Noble. They helped to guide me in my early years of teaching, and I am grateful for the impact they had on my development as a teacher. To the Friesner girls, especially Katie and Deb, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your mom and dad with all of those other kids for so many years. They were special people, and I am so glad that I was lucky enough to work with them. Prayers for your family.
Debbie T. says
So sad to hear of Mrs. Friesner’s passing😢😢. I was never blessed with her as a teacher but was a childhood friend of Sherry’s. So many good memories of feeling so welcomed by Mrs. Friesner to spend the night at innumerable slumber parties at the Friesner house.
Blessings to you all at the loss of your sweet Mama.
Kathy Hagen says
I’m so saddened to hear of Joyc’s passing. I knew her and Bob for so many years when they lived in Ligonier. I had the privilege of teaching with both of them at WN. Joyce loved her students and will be rembered fondly by so many. Praying for all of you!
M. Jason Sprague says
I am truly sorry for your loss. I admired her greatly as a young student. She and Bob had a tremendous impact on me. It is surreal to me to be sitting at a desk in a room where Bob taught trying to fill those shoes. I have no doubt Mrs. Friesner will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by so many in our community. They made the world a better place and surely heaven is enhanced by her presence. May God bless your family.
Lujeane Olejniczak says
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of BJ. I met her at Senior Fit exercise classes and enjoyed visiting with her. She was one sweet lady and will be dearly missed.
Linda Langfeldt says
All of us in Barb’s bible study group will continue to pray for Barb & her family. God’s blessings.
Christina Weisheit says
I am deeply sorry to hear the sad news. Barbara, you were my walking friend for many years, we always tried to solve the problems of the world on our long walks. I will miss you so very much. Rest in peace
Angie says
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Friesner. Was such an impact in my life along with her husband. Great people and very straight forward. Both made huge impact in West Noble community. Will be missed.
Nikki Sue Sprunger says
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was a wonderful person.
Nikki Dickerson Sprunger
Ann Bowser says
So sorry to hear of BJ’s passing. May she be in God’s loving arms. She was a joy to spend grief ladies luncheons with.
Ann Bowser
Ken Conrad says
To Kate:
Your mother and your father clearly loved you and both demonstrated and expressed that in my contact with you all back in the West Noble days. You can be pleased and proud of your mom’s career and service commitments.
The YFC Campus Life crew valued your friendship, encouragement and the kindness with which you did life. Your mother and father were proud of you. As Christ-followers we keep moving in the “long obedience in the same direction,” enabled by His grace and goodness.
Here’s to the Hope and help you and the family will experience today and going forward with God’s Rock-solid promised.
Ken Conrad
Audrey Yadon says
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I’m a CNA at Autumn Trace and knew Bj very well. I’m so thankful that I was able to know her and be apart of her life. She never failed to make me laugh or put a smile on my face. Anyone that knew her, loved her!