Joan “Jody” K. Dallas, 94 of Ashland passed away on Wednesday afternoon, April 9, 2025 in OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
She was born on October 13, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Robert and Eva Koehler.
Joan spent her childhood in Lima, Ohio where she graduated from Lima Central High School in 1951.
She graduated from Wittenberg University in 1955 and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.
Joan taught in Lima and Maple Heights, Ohio, and later substitute taught for the Ashland School District, where she lived for the past 65 years.
Joan married W. Gordon Dallas, her beloved husband, in 1981. They spent many happy years together, traveling to England, Egypt, Africa, & Scotland, as well as visiting their six children in their many enterprises from California to New York.
She was an avid sports woman, playing & coaching both tennis and golf for most of her life. She was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns (and often of Ohio State) and deeply enjoyed watching all professional sports.
Over the years, hundreds of wood carvings in Ashland churches, hospitals, restaurants, and homes were crafted by Jody at her sunrise-facing desk, where she loved watching the birds at her many feeders.
She adored fun, laughter, and never seemed to worry about things, preferring to look at the bright side.
Joan is survived by two sons, William (Susan) Emery and Robert Emery, both of Columbus; in addition, grandchildren, Will Emery, Ted Emery, George Emery, Nicholas Emery, Katurah Emery, Elijah Emery, Peter Emery, and Gabrielle Riegel; as well as step-children, Jonathan and Jeffrey Dallas.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister; her dear daughter, Elizabeth; and a step-daughter, Melissa Dallas.
A Celebration of Joan’s life will be held by the family at a later date.
Online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com