Joan D. Vargo (nee Eckard) (formerly Simmons)
Joan D. Vargo 86, passed away June 2nd, 2015. Joan Vargo, nee Eckard, was a woman of wit and grace whose time in this world was enriched by life-long friendships, family, faith and many Georges. Joan was the youngest child of the late Howard and Gladys Gertrude (Barnhart) Eckard, of Akron, Ohio who were stalwart members of the United Brethren Church. She graduated from Otterbein College where she met George Simmons, fellow graduate and first husband. The friendships initiated at Otterbein College developed into an informal “Couples Club” that became one of the foundations of Joan’s vibrant social network for the rest of her life.
While George Simmons began his law practice, Joan taught High School English and PE in the Copley School District until the birth of their first child. Joan and George Simmons proudly raised four children in the Copley-Fairlawn School District. Joan was active in the community as a member of the Women’s City Club, WITAN and Akron Children’s Hospital TWIG.
After all her children were in school, Joan continued her education at Akron University where she earned a Masters degree in education. Her desire to expand her education stood in good stead when George Simmons became ill with cancer and died when Joan was 49. Joan once again took up the mantel of a Defender of the English Language by teaching middle school in the Norton School District until she retired with 25 years of service. (On her death bed Joan was still correcting grammar)
Once her youngest 2 children were in college, Joan found a new love in her life. She married George Bartels, a widower and a gentleman who was able to cherish her for only 9 weeks before he died unexpectedly due to complications from heart disease. After George Bartel’s untimely death, Joan began new life with roots from her childhood. She began dating a gentleman known to her for most of her life, George A. Vargo, the son of Gladys Eckard’s friend Helen Vargo.
George Vargo became Joan’s husband and best companion for the remainder of her life. He became forevermore George III. George Vargo, his mother Helen and George’s four children, Vickie, Kim Jeff and Todd, enriched the last 30 years of Joan’s life with 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and many loving relatives and friends. Joan and George Vargo traveled the world, shared summer adventures with family and friends fishing in Canada and wintered in Florida. They also enjoyed RV travel with the Bell Company Pioneers. George Vargo’s unstinting compassion in the care and keeping of Joan in her prolonged illness allowed her to pass as she wished; at peace in her home of 60 years.
Besides two husbands, Joan was preceded in death by brothers, Robert and Willis Eckard; and sister, Janice Eckard. She is survived by; children, Pamela Simmons (Richard Shack, children Garth & Molly), Brenda (Robert) Casciani, (children Jason and Justine), Barbara (Richard) Arison (children Carly and Heather) and Robert (Jill) Simmons (children Robert, Grant and Brett)
Most of all, Joan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to all who came into her life. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St., with Rev. Ron Shultz officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service, from 10 – 11 a.m. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 4700 Rockside Rd. Suite 425, Independence, OH 44131, or Alzheimer’s Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St. Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan D. (Eckard) Vargo, please visit our flower store.
Joan D. Vargo 86, passed away June 2nd, 2015. Joan Vargo, nee Eckard, was a woman of wit and grace whose time in this world was enriched by life-long friendships, family, faith and many Georges. Joan was the youngest child of the late Howard and Gladys Gertrude (Barnhart) Eckard, of Akron, Ohio who were stalwart members of the United Brethren Church. She graduated from Otterbein College where she met George Simmons, fellow graduate and first husband. The friendships initiated at Otterbein College developed into an informal “Couples Club” that became one of the foundations of Joan’s vibrant social network for the rest of her life.
While George Simmons began his law practice, Joan taught High School English and PE in the Copley School District until the birth of their first child. Joan and George Simmons proudly raised four children in the Copley-Fairlawn School District. Joan was active in the community as a member of the Women’s City Club, WITAN and Akron Children’s Hospital TWIG.
After all her children were in school, Joan continued her education at Akron University where she earned a Masters degree in education. Her desire to expand her education stood in good stead when George Simmons became ill with cancer and died when Joan was 49. Joan once again took up the mantel of a Defender of the English Language by teaching middle school in the Norton School District until she retired with 25 years of service. (On her death bed Joan was still correcting grammar)
Once her youngest 2 children were in college, Joan found a new love in her life. She married George Bartels, a widower and a gentleman who was able to cherish her for only 9 weeks before he died unexpectedly due to complications from heart disease. After George Bartel’s untimely death, Joan began new life with roots from her childhood. She began dating a gentleman known to her for most of her life, George A. Vargo, the son of Gladys Eckard’s friend Helen Vargo.
George Vargo became Joan’s husband and best companion for the remainder of her life. He became forevermore George III. George Vargo, his mother Helen and George’s four children, Vickie, Kim Jeff and Todd, enriched the last 30 years of Joan’s life with 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and many loving relatives and friends. Joan and George Vargo traveled the world, shared summer adventures with family and friends fishing in Canada and wintered in Florida. They also enjoyed RV travel with the Bell Company Pioneers. George Vargo’s unstinting compassion in the care and keeping of Joan in her prolonged illness allowed her to pass as she wished; at peace in her home of 60 years.
Besides two husbands, Joan was preceded in death by brothers, Robert and Willis Eckard; and sister, Janice Eckard. She is survived by; children, Pamela Simmons (Richard Shack, children Garth & Molly), Brenda (Robert) Casciani, (children Jason and Justine), Barbara (Richard) Arison (children Carly and Heather) and Robert (Jill) Simmons (children Robert, Grant and Brett)
Most of all, Joan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to all who came into her life. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St., with Rev. Ron Shultz officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service, from 10 – 11 a.m. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, 4700 Rockside Rd. Suite 425, Independence, OH 44131, or Alzheimer’s Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St. Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236.
