Joan M. (Wilkos) Zorn

Poland - Joan M. Zorn, 81, passed away Thursday evening, August 8, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center with her loving family by her side.

Joan was born March 30, 1938 in Youngstown, a daughter of Joseph and Dorothy Churan Wilkos.

Joan graduated from Struthers High School and attended Youngstown State University where she received her RN and Associate Degree in Nursing. She went on to receive her BSN and MS from Youngstown State University and later pursued her Doctorate in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.

In her nursing career, Joan was an Associate Professor at YSU as well as Assistant Director for the School of Nursing at YSU. Her final position was as Director of Nursing for the former Youngstown Developmental Center. Joan retired in 1985 to devote her time to the family.

An accomplished writer, Joan published eight articles in medical and nursing journals. She also wrote a column for the former Poland Post.

Joan was active in the Girl Scouts as a troop leader for her daughters' two troops and also served on the Board of Directors of the Lake to River Girl Scouts Council. She and her family were members of the Poland United Methodist Church.

Her past times included interior decorating, reading and bicycling. Joan enjoyed quiet times sitting on the porch with her Scotties, watching the animals and birds in her backyard, but she also loved joy riding in her 1970 green Pontiac convertible. Joan especially loved surrounding herself with family and looked forward to their annual family trips to Colonial Williamsburg.

Joan leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Dr. Robert Zorn, her high school sweetheart whom she married April 26, 1957; two daughters, Deborah (William) Becherer and Patricia (Gregory) Kelley all of Poland; one sister, Barbara (Lyle) Vance of Mount Pleasant, UT; one brother, Joseph (Nancy) Wilkos of Youngstown; five grandchildren who adored her, Tyler (Devin) Kelley, Nathan (Katie) Kelley, Sam (Alexa Xenakis, fiancee') Becherer, Leigh (Jacob ) Sines, and Katie Becherer; and three great-grandchildren, Lillian Grace Kelley, Lucas Robert Sines, and Connor Beard Kelley.

Friends will be received Monday, August 12, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial service celebrating Joan's life will be held Tuesday, August 13, 11:00 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Joan's family would like memorial gifts to take the form of contributions to the Poland Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 5217, Poland, OH 44514. A nursing scholarship will be created in Joan's name.