Joan C. Pirc, 85, Enjoyed Reading and Camping

She always had a loving smile for everyone, even while enduring her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Joan was born in Ashland, Ohio on August 4, 1930 and had been a resident of Lorain for the majority of her life. She was a 1948-B graduate of Lorain High School.

Mrs. Pirc had been employed as a cafeteria worker at Larkmoor School.

The cornerstones of Joan’s life were her faith and her family. She was an active parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lorain and had been a long-time member of the church choir; she was a member and former president of the Marian Guild at the church and was once acknowledged as its Woman of the Year. Joan served that organization as a member of the funeral committee as well. She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Anthony, a coordinator of the church’s prayer chain, and a member of the Cursillo. In addition, she assisted her parish in feeding the poor.

Mrs. Pirc was a member of the St. Anthony PTU and had served in a variety of volunteer capacities, including librarian, at the parish school. Her volunteer service spanned the enrollment of three generations of her family.

Joan also had served as leader of her daughters’ Girl Scout troops when they were young.

Her hobbies included following the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as reading and camping. She was also an avid walker.

She is survived by daughters Pat Hellinger (Al) of Lorain, Shari Kuznar (Bob) of Avon, Susan Burge of Lorain, and Joan Weyher (Mark) of Monroe, Michigan, and by sons Tony Pierce (Terri) of Kentwood, Michigan, and Jim Pirc (Patti) of Upper Sandusky. Joan also leaves grandchildren April Serfozo, Jodi Bailey, Matt Hellinger, Jessica Potter, Becki Dorsey, Diana Knuppenburg, Linda Pierce, Thomas Burge, Elizabeth Bendlak, Brian Burge, Joseph Pfingsten, Mark Pfingsten, Robert Pfingsten, Melody Pirc, Austin Pirc, and Aaron Pirc, and great grandchildren Alec Serfozo, Rebecca Serfozo, Cole Serfozo, Hannah Bailey, Emma Bailey, Jack Bailey, Riley Hellinger, Bryn Hellinger, Braden Dorsey, Aubrey Dorsey, Anthony Knuppenburg, Anastasia Knuppenburg, Logan Pfingsten, and Alyssa Pfingsten. She also leaves brothers Jerry Rush (Bonnie) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and David Rush (Laura) residing in Cuyahoga Falls.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Tony in 2010, infant children Joseph and Mary, son-in-law Jeffrey Burge in 1993, parents Roy and Isabel (nee Hartsel) Rush, step-mother Shirley Rush, and brothers Franklin, Don, and Joel Rush.

Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel,3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Tuesday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – 1305 East Erie Avenue. Reverend Edward Smith, Parish Administrator will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery

The family would like to thank the compassionate care-givers at the Elmcroft and Heartland Village who loved Mom as much as we did.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to either the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, or to the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

To share your memories and condolences with Joan’s family, please visit www.gluvna.net.