Obituary of Joan L. Bland

Joan "Jody" Lehman Bland passed away on January 3, 2016, at the age of 88, at Foxdale Village in State College, Pennsylvania. She was born Joan Marie Lehman on Jan 12, 1927 in Cleveland Ohio to Oscar Snyder Lehman and Ruth May (nee Brubaker) Lehman. She graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in January of 1945 and from then until August of that year worked at Bailey Meter in Cleveland. Joan graduated from Hiram College, where she met her future husband, Richard Earl Bland. Joan and Richard were married in 1951 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and moved immediately to State College, where Richard was employed at the Pennsylvania State University's then "Ordnance Research Laboratory" (now "Applied Research Laboratory"). They first lived in the Pugh Street Apartments, then a home they built on East Irvin Avenue. Joan worked at the university in Home Economics Education from 1951-1953, and with a physicians group in State College from 1973-1990. Joan was an avid volunteer with numerous Centre County organizations including, the State College Presbyterian Church, in circles and as a Deacon; Centre Peace; and as a member of the American Association of University Women. She particularly enjoyed the AAUW used book sale, serving as co-chair of the first four, from its beginning in 1961. She also assisted for many years with the American Red Cross Blood Drive, with the polls, and assisting with publicity for the Nittany Symphony. She enjoyed needlework and participating as a long-time member of a number of neighborhood bridge groups. She loved cats and conversation. She also loved spending time in the kitchen, working diligently so that no food ever went to waste. Joan and Richard were married for 51 years, and he preceded her in death in 2002. She moved to Foxdale Village in 2013, and loved her cottage there. She is survived by three children, William Bland and his wife, Jerrianne, of Madison, WI, Cheryl Huntzinger of Columbus, OH, and Kenneth Bland and his wife, Elizabeth, of Purcellville, VA; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Joan was preceded in death by her brother, Leroy Lehman. A private memorial gathering will be held at a later date, to be determined. Memorials in her honor should be directed to the charity of your choice, but of late her favorite causes were Pets Come First, 2451 General Potter Hwy, Centre Hall, PA 16828, and the Centre County Women's Resource Center, 140 W Nittany Ave, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com