Remembering Joan Ruth (Green) Warren
Joan Ruth (Green) Warren (88) passed away on January 24 at 1:13 p.m. in Kendallville, Indiana, at Chandler Place. She was born on April 8, 1933, to Anna Belle (Clark) Green and Milford Vance Green, in Mt. Cory, Ohio. On June 3, 1956, she married her high school sweetheart Robert (Bob) Warren at Pleasant View United Methodist Church in Mt. Cory, Ohio.
Joan is survived by her husband Robert (Bob) Warren and daughter Jean (Brooks) Gekler of Kirkland, Washington, twin daughters Carol (Tim) Holcomb of Wolcottville, Indiana, and Cathy (Jim) Malke of Chesterfield, Missouri, and son Rich (Michelle) Warren of Scottsdale, Arizona, and grandchildren Matthew Holcomb, Grant Janssen, Erin Janssen and Connor (Kavan) Holcomb. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard C. Green, Bernard C. Green, Kenneth V. Green and James E. Green.
Joan graduated from Cory-Rawson High School, Mt. Cory, Ohio. Upon graduation, she pursued business courses at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. After one year, she left BGSU to pursue an administrative management role in the Purchasing Department at Marathon Oil in Findlay, Ohio. As her husband Bob’s career moved to college and university posts, she resumed her college education, taking classes part-time as she raised her four children. She completed courses at Bluffton University (Ohio), Heidelberg University (Ohio) and Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN), and graduated from ISU in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Education.
After earning her degree she taught business classes at South Putnam H.S. (Greencastle) and Sullivan H.S. She joined IVY Tech Community College in 1977 and spearheaded the Adult Basic Education Program that was a joint effort between Ivy Tech and the Indiana Department of Corrections. This program provided high school equivalency opportunities for incarcerated individuals. As part of this initiative, she taught business classes at the U.S. Federal Penitentiary in Terre Haute for 12 years.
Her husband, Bob, was a coach (football, basketball, and track & field) at the college and high school levels, and she was a constant and loyal fan of his teams. Attending all home games, she also drove to countless away games with her children and friends. This faithful and devoted attendance of sporting events extended to the athletic endeavors of her children and grandchildren.
Joan was a gifted seamstress. Other hobbies and interests included playing cards, cooking, gardening, bowling, playing the piano, and traveling. She belonged to the Terre Haute Garden Club and was a member of the United Methodist Temple in Terre Haute for over 45 years. Outgoing and engaging, she was a true friend and neighbor to so many people during her lifetime.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be made in her name to the United Methodist Temple, Terre Haute, Indiana. Services will be held privately.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, September 11, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Sept. 12 Open Doors offers sneak peek at future Bluffton museum space
- Women in Business program with Positive Nutrition
- September 10 Bluffton High School athletics lineup, streaming
- It's time for Fall Storytime at the Bluffton Public Library
- Pirate girls golf win vs. Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys golf splits NWC tri
- Bluffton PTO is collecting Community Markets receipts
- Richland Twp. trustees hire mower and Zoning Inspector
- Schumacher Homestead plans a farm full of Fall Fest activities
- Hindsight is 20/20: Recent reports for RSV, flu, and COVID-19
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Darrell Lee Diller, 92, managed a farming business
- Bluffton alumni will discuss pathways to chaplaincy
- Beaverdam cleanup day is Sept. 12
- Pirate boys golf 3rd at NWC quad
- Pirate volleyball outlasts Arlington
- Pirate girls soccer blanks Crestview
- Pirate boys soccer tie vs. Kalida
- Letter: The future of American agriculture
- Maple Grove Cemetery records now online
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Bluffton Historical meets Sept. 9 at the 1899 Depot
- Jerry L. Blosser worked for DTR Industries
- Bluffton Schools cancelled on September 8, cleanup for biodigester malfunction underway
- July 2026 Bluffton Police Dept. activity report
- Hillville Rd. closure on Sept. 8-9
- Lions and friends will count pathway users in September
- Bluffton Ohio Historical Society takes part in Ohio Open Doors, Sept. 12