Joan A. (Rickert) Brode, 95, of Coaldale, died on Monday, October 16, 2023, at home with her three daughters at her side. She was the wife of the late Evan W. Brode to whom she was married 61 years at the time of his death in December 2010. Born in Summit Hill on September 27, 1928, Joan was a daughter of the late Lewis Sr. and Irene (Sorber) Rickert. A 1946 graduate of the former Summit Hill High School, she enjoyed being at home raising her family that she dearly loved. Joan was a kind, caring, compassionate person with a great sense of humor, who was a great friend. She belonged to the First Congregational Church in Coaldale where she was a dedicated and faithful member. Joan is survived by daughters, Sharon Benack and her husband The Rev. Dr. Wayne Benack of Jim Thorpe, Gayle Brode of Bethlehem, and Janet Brode of Coaldale; grandchildren, Jeremy Benack, Jesse Benack, Jodi Benack, Jennifer Stanek, Stanley Stanek, and Pamela Stanek; 19 great grandchildren; sisters, Kathryn Chickilly and Florence Kusko of Summit Hill, and Doris Risavy and Ruthann Abbey of Florida; and numerous nephews and nieces. In addition to her husband, Evan, she was predeceased by brothers, Norman, Eugene, Louis, and Gordon. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, in the First Congregational Church, 123 East Ruddle Street, Coaldale with The Rev. Dr. Wayne Benack, The Rev. Jeremy Benack, and The Rev. Dr. Jesse Benack officiating. Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua will follow the services. Call 9-11 a.m. at the church. Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church Memorials, c/o Lois Richards, 218 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Published by Times News on Oct. 18, 2023.