Joanellen Schoelles

On October 31, 2025, JoanEllen Schoelles, a beacon of compassion and love, passed through the gate of death to eternal life. Born on May 21, 1930, in Buffalo, NY, JoanEllen lived a life marked by generosity, faith, and a feisty spirit that touched everyone she met. She loved animals. Always, when she called, she asked first, "How are the dogs?" She had her priorities and never passed up dessert. After starting her training at Deaconess Hospital in Buffalo in 1948, she served as a registered nurse in private practices, hospitals, and industrial settings. After only four months of courting, she married Richard "Dick" Schoelles in 1953. She was an incredible mother, a doting grandmother, and a cherished friend. JoanEllen loved to travel. She and Dick took their children all over the USA. After his passing in 1992, she continued to trek from the end of the country to another. Her faith in Christ was the cornerstone of her life. JoanEllen was actively involved in women's groups, the quilting club, and prayer groups at Christ Lutheran in Warren, MI, and St. John's Lutheran in Fort Wayne. Her time on earth was a testament to a life that prioritized love, faith, and family above all else. JoanEllen is survived by her sons, Douglas (Debra) and "Bill" (Alesa) Schoelles, and her daughter, Lynne (Andy) D'Hondt. She is predeceased by her mother, Edna Day, and beloved husband, Richard Schoelles. JoanEllen's spirit lives on in the hearts of those who loved her and in the countless lives she touched throughout her journey. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Lake Township, 7914 W. Cook Road, Fort Wayne, IN, 46818, with a time to gather beginning at 10:30 a.m. Memorials can be given in lieu of flowers to St. John's Lutheran Church – Seminarian Fund.