Funeral services for Joan Elizabeth Franz, 84 year-old Corn, OK resident, were held Monday, September 30, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. in Corn Mennonite Brethren Church with Tim Sandy officiating. Burial followed in Corn Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Joan was born May 24, 1935, in Corn, OK to John and Pauline (Stobbe) Gossen and passed away Thursday, September 26, 2019, at Corn Heritage Village of Corn. Joan was raised and attended school in Corn and graduated from Corn Bible Academy in 1953. She traveled as a missionary for a year. On August 19, 1954, Joan married Roland Schmidt and made their home southwest of Corn. They moved to Denver for a year and then returned to Corn where she worked alongside of her husband on the dairy farm. Roland passed away in 1971. Joan married Archie Franz May 23, 1974, and made their home in Corn. Joan enjoyed quilting, embroidery, music, cooking, gardening and played the piano at church for over 70 years until just recently. Memorials may be made to the Corn Bible Academy – Building Fund.
Joan is survived by four sons, Tim Franz and wife, Susie of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Richard Schmidt and wife, Jeannie of Lincoln, Nebraska, Philip Schmidt and wife, Daneille Schmidt of Weatherford, Oklahoma, and Russell Schmidt and wife, Suphawan of Corn, Oklahoma; two daughters, Rita Williams and husband, Randy of Springdale, Arkansas and Lori Kliewer and husband, John of Weatherford, Oklahoma; three sisters, Marilyn Gerbrandt, and husband Dave of Clinton, Oklahoma, Jeanette Grunau of Corn, Oklahoma and Margret Smith and husband, Ray; twenty-one grandchildren; and thirty-two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; one sister, Carolyn Javorsky; one brother, Robert Gos-sen; one granddaughter, Kandice Kliewer; and one grandson, Kasey Kliewer.