Dates
Joan Mary Caldwell, 88 of San Angelo, Texas was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 27, 2014. Join Joan’s family in a “Celebration of Life” to be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Angelo. Pastor Randall Wehmeyer will conduct the service. Interment will take place immediately following the services at Lawnhaven Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home. Visitation is planned for Tuesday evening December 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Joan Mary Marling was born on November 4, 1926 to John (Jack) Marling and Florence Collier Marling in Norwich, England. In 1943, Joan met and fell in love with the love of her life, SSG2 Willard William “Bill” Caldwell. They married June 13, 1944. In early 1946, Bill returned to the USA and Joan followed in March 1946 with their nine month old daughter, Frona. They were blessed with five children. This past summer, Bill, Joan and their family celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Joan was a charter member of East Angelo Lioness Club beginning January 1979. As President and a charter member, she helped initiate the Concho Pearl Lions Club. Joan has served as an officer in all elected positions and served on the Board of Directors for Concho Pearl Lions. In 1997-1998, she was elected the first female Governor for District 2 A-1. In addition to holding office in the District, she was an officer for the state as Sight First Chairman. While Governor, Joan helped obtain a grant from LCIF to build Unidad Park, a handicap accessible park in San Angelo. She has also been an outstanding leader in Lions by supporting Lions projects and volunteering at the Eyeglass Recycling Center in San Angelo and at the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville in which she travelled with a child to the camp. She has received many awards including the Ed Flood award and the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. She holds two Life Memberships in Lion’s Club. Joan is a Century Club member of the Texas Lions Camp and also has a Life membership in the West Texas Eye Bank Alliance.
Joan volunteered in the community as an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, director of the Food Bank, was a lifetime member of the PTA and Girl Scout leader. She volunteered at the Salvation Army and at Park Plaza nursing home. She won Ms. Congeniality and runner-up in the Mrs. San Angelo pageant.
As a friend to many and a stranger to none, Joan had a zest for life and loved spending time with her family, working in her yard, traveling around the world and dancing. Her legacy will be the extraordinary life she led, sharing unconditional love, compassion, leadership, knowledge, and adventure with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, W.W. (Bill) Caldwell, her daughters, Frona McGuire and husband Tom of San Antonio, Mary Grim of Robert Lee, Sue Daniel and husband Andy of San Angelo, sons Johnny Caldwell and Jerry Julian of Little Elm and Joe David Caldwell of Dallas. Also, brother David Marling and wife Geraldine of England; nephew Paul Marling and wife Jane and children of England; niece Joanne Brown and husband Andrew and children of England. Joan’s seven grandchildren, Sheri Hood and husband Eddie of Henrietta, Mark Daniel and wife Shanna of San Angelo, Johanna Davenport and husband Brian of San Antonio, Steve Ebenstein and wife Kellie of Midland, Kim Kelly and husband Tracy of San Angelo, Tommie Amell and husband Ricardo of Carrollton, Kristi Kerby of San Angelo, 22 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents John and Florence Marling and her mother in law Frona Blake.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Eddie Hood, Mark Daniel, Steve Ebenstein, Tracy Kelly and great grandsons Garrett Daniel, Sterlin Ebenstein and Josh Kelly.
Honorary pallbearers are grandsons Brian Davenport, Ricardo Amell and great grandsons Jason Kelly, Denver Hood, Dawson Daniel, Chance Davenport, Zachary Davenport,
Slade Ebenstein, Mason Kelly, Sawyer Ebenstein and great-great grandson Kaisn Daniel.
Donations may be made to Concho Pearl Lions Club, Trinity Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.
Special thanks to Dr. Cheruku, Dr. Brantly, Dr. Vosburg and Dr. Coates, Shannon Medical Center staff, Hospice of San Angelo and Concho Valley Home Health.