Joan Fleming Mendenhall's Obituary
Joan Fleming Mendenhall was born on March 24th, 1927, to the late Harold and Grace Fleming. Joan and her twin sister, Jean, lost their mother during childbirth and were raised by their grandparents. Joan spent most of her early life in Newberry, PA, and the surrounding areas. She passed peacefully in her sleep at 96 years of age on June 16th, 2023, at The Windsor in Gainesville, FL.
Joan met her husband, Dr. William Mendenhall III, in Montoursville, PA and they were happily married for 60 years until Dr. Mendenhall’s passing in December 2009. They spent the early years of their marriage in Lewisburg and Williamsport, PA but eventually moved to Gainesville, FL, where they spent the rest of their lives and raised their two sons.
Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Known to many as “The Bird”, she lived a long, happy, and productive life. She lived a life of service and contributed to many charitable organizations over the years. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville and was very involved with The University of Florida Statistics Department and many other clubs and organizations. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and friends and spreading her wings to travel the world.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Harold Fleming, her twin sister, Jean Laylon, and her loving husband, Dr. William Mendenhall. She is survived by her sons, Dr. William M. Mendenhall (Nancy) and Dr. Charles M. Mendenhall (Katherine); her granddaughters Katie, Marisa, Elena, and Kristen; and two great grandsons, William and Jackson (Marisa). She also leaves behind her aunt, Patricia Wittig and family, her brother-in-law, Randy Laylon, nieces Lyn Smith (Ben), Jill Confair (Craig), and Joan Burkhart (Greg), great nieces Natalie Burkhart Swan (Kyle), Colleen Burkhart, Danielle Confair, and great nephew, Ryan Confair (Liz), and several dear friends.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday July 13th, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, FL (300 SW 2nd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601) by Reverend Mark Hultz. Joan will be laid to rest next to her husband in Montoursville Cemetery in Montoursville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the First Presbyterian Church (300 SW 2nd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601) or The Salvation Army (639 E University Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601).
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