E. Joan (Beard) Arlin

E. Joan Arlin, 94, of Norwalk – There’s Always Hope

Our beautiful mother, Joan Arlin, left this Earth on Saturday, September 5, 2020 leaving us devastated. Mom would be scared-to-death if she knew one of her children would be writing her obituary, especially her daughter Patty.  We didn’t want her memoriam to read like a bullet-pointed, check-marked life resume’. Mom was much more than that; beautiful, classy, unbreakable and kind. She was a gentle giant but a fierce “mamma-bear.”   

Mom was born in 1924 to Rose and Alfred Beard. She grew up in the Tiffin and the Mansfield areas during the Great Depression. Like most people during this time period, she grew up very poor. Mom would recall selling newspapers on the street corner at the age of five and moving frequently to live with various family members.  As a six-year old, she spent a year in bed unable to walk due to Polio.  Yes…her young life was tough. 

Mom attended Mansfield Senior High School where she met her husband, our father, “Big Ed” Arlin.  She graduated from Ashland College with an English degree, but her true passion and gift was singing.  Mom had a beautiful voice and sang professionally in area supper clubs for years- singing for General Dwight D. Eisenhower in her twenties.  She didn’t realize that he was a “big deal” and went to his dinner table for a conversation and to obtain his autograph.  Only later, did she realize how inappropriate it was, “Oh well,” she would say.  

Our Mom was what most people would consider classically beautiful.  The beauty, we would like to express, is her heart.  She lived a life of grace and was without malice. She loved unconditionally and was always there for anyone needing understanding.  She refused to gossip and never said a bad thing about anyone.  She was just lovely.  If you came into the Arlin home, you would be called “Honey’’.

Mom had a soft spot for people who were struggling and she held the philosophy that ‘‘as long as there is life, there is hope.’’  She trusted her own judgement and intuition and didn’t believe that “experts” were always right or even knew what they were doing.  She would say that experts were only right until another expert proved them wrong.  She believed in faith and was the kind of person that made you want to be a better person.

There are six Arlin children and we adored her.  Julie (Mark) Davis, Patty Arlin-Smith, Linda (Jim) Jennings, Eddie (Deborah) Arlin, Jimmy (Deborah) Arlin, and Paul Arlin.  Mom had fifteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.  We hope we’ve made you proud. Mom was the rock of our family.  Unbreakable.  The world has lost an amazing lady. 

Mom lost her husband of sixty years “Big Ed” nine years ago and he will be thrilled to see her!  She was also preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Ray and Bill Beard. 

Mom would want us to remember her by being kind and to help anyone struggling.  Remember that “as long as there is life there is hope.”  Also, if you are so inclined to raise a glass - Mom loved a Dirty Martini or a Gin and Tonic.  Be a Joan. 

A drive through opportunity to show support for the family will be held at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St. on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 11 am – 1 pm.  Visitors are encouraged to enter using the east entrance, remain in their vehicles, briefly greet the family, and exit using the west exit.  A graveside service will follow at 2 pm at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Visitors are also encouraged to wear a mask and practice all social distancing and mass gathering guidelines at both the drive thru visitation and graveside service.   

Online support for the family may also be expressed by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to The Salvation Army, 55 Whittlesey Ave., Norwalk, Ohio 44857 or The Starfish Project, Inc., P.O. Box 272, Norwalk, Ohio 44857

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