M. Joan (Neese) Jackson

Joan Jackson, 97, a longtime resident of the Grandview Heights, Ohio community since moving there at 2 years old, died peacefully April 7, 2018. She was born in London, Ohio, on March 10, 1921, as Martha Joan Neese, to Edward and Martha Neese. Joan graduated from Grandview Heights High School in 1939, and attended Ohio State University, as a Theta Chapter member, where she enjoyed singing with OSU music ensembles. She was a dental assistant and bridal consultant until she married the love of her life, the late Jim C. Jackson, Sr. at Fort Custer Army Post, Michigan, in 1943. Joan had some wonderful experiences when she joined him in Germany, where he had been serving in the U.S. Army since 1944, for 3 years of post-WWII occupation. Upon returning to Columbus, they settled in Grandview Heights, and raised four sons. Jim preceded her in death in 1982.

Joan enjoyed many interests, especially reading, and became an avid supporter of her favorite library, the Grandview Heights Library. Joan loved gardening, and she was an former member of the Grandview Garden Club. Swimming at Grandview Pool every summer was one of her favorite activities. Her sons have a fond memory of their Mom catching a tournament-winning tarpon fish while on a Florida vacation.

Joan always loved, and was appreciated by her four sons and their families that survive her, including, David (Diane), Renton, WA; Edward (Sandy), Boise, ID; Jim (Laura) and Robert (Becky), of Columbus; five grandchildren include Jennifer (Tom) Duenwald, of Bellevue, W A, Trent (Paskalitsa) Jackson, of Seattle, W A, Amanda (Sam) Hooley, of Boise, ID, and Brian and Scott Jackson, of Columbus; and six great-grandchildren, Samuel, Jacob and Roald Duenwald, Calvin and Cora Hooley, and Elliott Jackson. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her two brothers, Robert and Timothy Neese.

The family wishes to express their thanks to First Community Villages' Burkhart Center Assisted Care Living, for providing Joan with excellent care, as well as Rev. Gerald Murphy, the Residences' Pastor, making her last days as comfortable as possible. Joan was a life-long member of First Community Church; Joan spent time at their wonderful Camp Akita, as did her sons.

A funeral service will be held at the Burkhart Chapel, First Community Church, South Campus, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., on April 20, 2018 at 11 AM, where the family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Rev. James Long will officiate. A light luncheon will be held there immediately after the service. Interment will be next to Jim, Sr. at Union Cemetery, following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to "The Grandview Library Endowment Fund" (ghpl.org). 

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