Joan D. Waidlich, devout Christian
Joan DeWitt Waidlich, 92, of Millsboro, formerly of Mechanicsburg, Pa., was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven at her home Wednesday, March 17, 2021, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 9, 1929, the daughter of the late Richard Seidel and the late Bertha Mae (Heckert) Seidel.
After graduating from John Harris High School in Harrisburg, and starting a family, she went to work, including positions as credit administrator at Harrisburg Hospital, financial manager at Top Mode of Mechanicsburg, and credit secretary at Purina Mills of Camp Hill, Pa. She was one of the founding volunteer members of the Mechanicsburg chapter of the Meals on Wheels program, established in 1969. Her homemade cards were truly one-of-a-kind - complete with personalized poems and painstakingly handcrafted designs; she never forgot a special occasion or special person in her life.
A faithful daughter of Christ, Joan was an active member of the Mt. Olive Methodist Church, Country and Town Baptist Church and the Apostolic Faith Church of Mechanicsburg for nearly five decades, participating in their clown ministry, Bible school and study, and was a founding member of the Prayer Warriors Email Program. Since relocating to Delaware in 2010, she has been a member of the Lighthouse Christian Center in Milford. Later in her life, as a testament to her faith and boundless generosity, she welcomed two of her grandchildren, Laura and Ronald Henry, into her home to raise as her own.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 70 years, Ronald R. Waidlich; her sister Jacqueline Humphreys; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Sundquist Waidlich. She is survived by her sister, Jan Hardy; and four children: Kenneth E. Kirby (Elaine) of Havertown, Pa., Ronald D. Waidlich (Janice) of Belmont, N.C., Nan Lucas (Gerald) of Sandy Lake, Pa., and Joan Race (Paul) of Millsboro; chosen daughter Cha Choi (James) of Nokesville, Va.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Joan’s children say that “…for Mom, there were no strangers - only friends she’d not yet made. Through her active ministry, community outreach and open heart she touched so many lives. She left this life too soon…though, as is His will, God had other plans. But knowing she has reached her final rest, reunited with our Dad, Ronald, looking down on all of us in eternal love and glory - gives us peace. Words truly can’t describe the impact she had… or the good she did in this world. The beautiful family she’s left behind will follow in her footsteps, leading lives of kindness, grace and good humor that she might live on, in all of us.”
A private funeral service for family will be held Monday, March 22, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melsons Funeral Services. Due to COVID-19, social distancing protocols will be observed and masks are required for those in attendance.
The family requests memorial contributions be made in Joan’s name to Smile Train by visiting www.smiletrain.org or to the Mechanicsburg, PA chapter of Meals on Wheels via https://www.tfec.org/funds/mechanicsburg-area-meals-on-wheels-fund/.
A Celebration of Life Service for Central Pennsylvania family and friends and interment will be held during June (date to be announced) at the Apostolic Faith Church of Mechanicsburg.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
