Joan I. Parada's Obituary
Joan Irene Parada passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at the age of 81 years. Joan was the daughter of Jacob and Dorothy Carpenter Gafner. She was born on January 14, 1939 at home on Knapp Street in what was then the town of Algoma. Joan spent her school age years on Twelfth Street. She attended Jefferson and South Park Schools and graduated from OHS in 1957.
Joan married Thomas J. Killilea on June 15, 1957 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Oshkosh. Their five children are Timothy (Anne Fogtman), Kathleen Marsh, Terence, Todd (Wendy) and Jill (Carl R.) Gillig. As a young parent Joan developed great friendships with the Munschs, Feldners, Perdues, Brickhams and Prisks.
Joan married Edmund J. Parada on January 26, 1977. Together they began their lives anew. Joan and Ed purchased or started a number of area businesses. Ed began with The Trail’s End and as partners they owned Ed’s Auto Sales, Parada Datsun, Judd’s Gas Station and Jo-Ed’s Deli. Joan and Ed enjoyed golfing and spending time on their island cottage. They were friends with Alecia and Bud Hrnak. Ed passed away in 1992. Relying on her many years of interior design experience Joan finished her working career as an owner of Joan’s Window Fashions.
Joan’s reward for raising five kids was the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she cherished. They lit up her face whenever she saw them. She loved entertaining them and bringing them gifts. Her grandchildren are: Lukas (Sarah), Alex (Marissa), and Taylor Marsh; Ronaele (Enrique) Ortega; Henry Killilea; Julissa, Cassandra and Robert Gillig. Joan’s great-grandchildren are: McKinley and Marley Marsh; Delylah and Xander Marsh; Enriaele, Victoria and Immanuel Ortega.
Both of Joan’s parents came from large and long lived families. She often reminisced about her aunt’s and uncle’s many kindnesses that started in childhood and continued through her entire life. Joan is survived by her beautiful and fun loving Gafner Aunts Florence Dickey and Ruth Denow and her always kind Uncle Merle “Bud” Carpenter.
In addition to her parents and husband Joan was preceded in death by her siblings Elsie, Harley “Butchie” and Douglas. Joan is also survived by her generous and loving brother Ronald Gafner and daughter Tiffany, sister-in-law Shirley Gafner and her children Beth, Julie and Doug as well as brothers Jon and Dean Gafner. Joan is further survived by her and Ed’s grandson Michael Hart.
Joan will be remembered for her bright smile and blue eyes, her hard work, an ability to persevere, her love of family and in later years a penchant for being naughty.
For a number of years Joan dealt with multiple recurring health issues. Her family is grateful to the many people who not only used their considerable skills to treat her but also showed her great patience and gave her much affection.
A private family service was held and burial took place at Rushford Cemetery.
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