Joan Tozer

Joan Heberlein Tozer, of Delaware OH, was The Top!  She would have made a perfect addition to those lyrics compiled by Cole Porter.  Joan’s kind spirit departed this earth peacefully on the late evening of August 23rd.  In doing so, she joined her beloved husband of 61 years, William Thomas Tozer, who had passed in 2017.

Joan was The Top for one simple reason.  She was kind, giving, and gracious to a fault; she always looked completely outwards at the needs of others.  Joan generously shared this quality with her family, friends, and those who had the luck to cross her path.

Joan was born Joan Marie Heberlein in May of 1935.  She was educated in the suburbs of Chicago and went on to the University of Illinois at Champaign where she studied English and met her husband.  Joan was a dedicated and loving mother, a doting grandmother and great grandmother, and a most welcoming mother-in-law.

Joan was a dedicated gardener and, before it was fashionable, an environmentalist.  Every kitchen scrap eventually produced tomatoes via her compost pile!  Many of Joan’s dinners began with a small and elegant Jell-O mold – what a sweet start! – and her grandchildren will attest that no one made a better mac and cheese!

Joan’s faith was important to her. She and her husband were devoted members of Crestwood Christian Church during their 42-year residence in Lexington, Kentucky. She often referred to Crestwood as an oasis within this hectic world.

Along with her husband, Joan also joins her parents, Joseph and Lydia Heberlein, in heaven.  She is survived by her children (Barb, Ted and Marilyn), grandchildren (Carmeline, Sam, Will, Frank, and Jack), great grandchild (Paxton), daughter-in-law (Sandy), sons-in-law (Andy and Joe), and numerous friends.

We ask you to remember and honor Joan by planned and random acts of kindness, donating to your favorite cause, treating your friends to a sandwich lunch accompanied by a long humorous conversation – as Joan loved doing herself.  If curiosity strikes, you can listen to “You are The Top” sung by Ella Fitzgerald via You Tube.

An informal memorial get-together will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Sarah Moore Community, 26 N Union Street, Delaware, OH.  All are welcome.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Crestwood Christian Church, 1882 Bellefonte Dr, Lexington, KY on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 2:00 with a reception immediately following.  All are welcome.