Louise “Joan” Chirby

Louise “Joan” Chirby (nee Renner), age 89, passed away peacefully in the quiet, early morning hours of September 16th, 2023.

Joan was born on July 28, 1934, to Kathryn and Milan Renner of Gary, IN. It was there she grew up, attended Lew Wallace School and began her lifelong passion for learning.  After graduation, she enrolled at Indiana University earning her Education Degree in 1956 and later her Masters Degree in French. She shared that love of learning through teaching English and French for both the Gary and Merrillville school systems. Joan’s main focus was her devotion to family, and therefore, most of her life she chose to tutor children privately and substitute teach while remaining home. Even as her family grew, she continued to pour into her children and others by working with the handicapped at NWI Special Ed Facility, volunteering for Saint Stephen’s Church and supporting her husband in his role at Father Blaney’s Sharing Meadows.  Through her service to all things good and noble, devotion to others and her faith in God, she taught mainly by example, but in her wise but quiet way, her example spoke volumes and touched us all in the most lasting ways. Joan was a loyal and constant friend to all who knew her.  Joan continued her pursuit of learning her whole life, enrolling in continuing education classes, earning Master Gardener certification, voraciously reading and researching, or in some cases, self-teaching anything that struck her as interesting, like playing guitar. She believed in staying healthy and active and her enjoyment of Tai Chi helped to keep her agile and strong through to the end of her life. She had a strong love for her country and often participated in local politics and campaigns.  Her energy for things she had passion for was endless.

Joan is predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Richard (Dick), her parents and her brother, Richard (Betty).

She will be greatly missed and survived by her beloved children: Yvonne (Perry, decd.) of Spring Branch, Texas, Carol (Michael, decd.) of Greenville, South Carolina, Stephanie (Brian) of Jupiter, Florida, and Louise of Chicago, Illinois. She was a proud grandmother of twelve: Adam, Jessica, Grace, Connor (Angie), Caitlin (Jonathan), Brennan, Maura, Kathryn (Caleb), Alexandra, Reid, Claudia and Madison.  She had one great grandchild, Christopher. Joan also leaves behind her dear sister, Cheryl (Neal), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may visit at the Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre, 606 East 113th Avenue Crown Point, IN, on Sunday, September 24th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 9:00 am followed by Funeral Mass at St Stephen the Martyr, 5920 Waite St. Merrillville, IN 46410 at 10:00 AM.

Interment to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Joan’s name to Share Foundation, PO Box 400, Rolling Prarie, IN 46371.

Visit Joan’s online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500.