Joan Marie (Nartker) Albright, 80 of Bradford, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday October 20, 2021 at 4:13 PM at Versailles Rehab and Healthcare. She was born March 24, 1941, Warren, Ohio the daughter of the late Leo and Eloise Nartker.
Joan graduated from Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio in 1959. Her claim to fame there was performing a small part in “The Man Who Came to Dinner” with an aspiring actor from Chaminade High School who later became better known as Martin Sheen.
While serving in the Civil Air Patrol at Wright Patterson Air Force Base Joan had occasion to march in several parades where she caught the eye of a young Air Force trombonist named Gary who she married on February 3, 1962. They shared many similar interests such as bowling, golf, University of Dayton Flyer Basketball and German Shepherd dogs.
Joan avidly supported her children and grandchildren by being a 4-H club advisor; an athletic and music booster member; a regular in the stands for football, basketball, track, volleyball and cross country contests at Greenville, Milton-Union and Centerville Schools; a proud mom at Wittenberg University basketball games where Michael played college ball; a traveling grandma watching her grandson play baseball at Parkview High School near Atlanta, Ga; by attending dance recitals in Greenville and Centerville for her granddaughters and by supporting countless band and orchestra concerts, recitals and solo performances over a 40+ year period.
Joan was a school bus driver for Greenville City Schools for almost 30 years and was an accomplished golfer having won several club championships at the former Greenville Country Club. Joan had many interests and special talents and she will long be remembered for her wonderful marshmallow Jello, German potato salad and shrill, ear-piercing whistles.
Joan is survived by her husband Gary Albright whom she married February 3, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio; her children and spouses: Laura and Bob Moore, Ludlow Falls, Mike and Barb Albright of Greenville. Paul and Devonie Albright of Elgin, Illinois, and Mark and Lisa Albright of Centerville, Ohio; her grandchildren: Candice and Eric (Dec) DeBoer, Andrea Clark, (Dec.), Chase, Erin Albright, Andrew and Renee Albright, Maggie and Ryan Moore, Abigail and Emily Albright; great granddaughter: Emilie DeBoer; siblings and spouses: Thomas, (Dec.) and Susan Natker, Richard and Carol, (Dec.) Nartker, Charles and Sandra Nartker, and William and Darlene Nartker; her in laws: Edward and Flora Albright, Ross (Dec.) and Ernestine (Dec.) Albright, Sheran (Dec.) and Jim (Dec.) Cunerwell, Keith (Dec.) and Claire (Dec.) Albright, Edward and Flora Albright, Ernestine Albright, Janice and George (Dec.) Glass, Linda and Wally (Dec.) Hayes; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday November 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Transfiguration Catholic Church 972 S. Miami Street, West Milton, Ohio with Rev. Fr. Eric Bowman Celebrant. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday November 3, 2021 at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made Hospice of Miami County, 3230 North County Rd. 25A, Troy, OH 45373 https://www.hospiceofmiamicounty.org/ways-to-give
Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 https://www.lbda.org/donate
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com