Joan Marie (Ruffing) Sands

Joan Marie (Ruffing) Sands, 78, of Milan, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, October 5, 2019 at Stein Hospice Care Center in Sandusky.  She was born on August 1, 1941 in Bellevue, Ohio to the late Paul R. and Mary L. (Skelley) Ruffing. 

Joan was a huge Cleveland Sports and Buckeyes fan.  She enjoyed road trips and took pride in caring for her well-manicured lawn.  She cherished time with many close friends and four-legged companion, “Duke”. 

She worked for many years at the former Fanny Farmer Candy Company and The Arthur Corporation.  Joan was a member of St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church in Norwalk and lifetime member of Weight Watchers. 

Survivors include her daughter, Patty Richards of Huron; grandchildren, Travis Richards of Toledo and Jenna Richards (Zach Goffena) of Cincinnati; sisters, Mary Alice (Ron) Raifsnider, Jane Wobser (her twin sister), Maureen Phillips, Barbara (Roy) Smith and Helen Musser all of Bellevue, Ohio, Margaret (Steve) Musser of Fremont, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Paul and William and Bobby, who passed in infancy and son in-law, John Richards. 

Friends may call on Friday, October 11, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, Ohio.  A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 38 W. League Street, Norwalk, Ohio.  Cremation will follow the mass and there will not be a public burial.  Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870, Huron County Humane Society, 246 Woodlawn Ave., Norwalk, OH 44857, or St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church.  Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.

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