Joan Smiley Eldred

Joan Smiley Eldred of Dublin, Ohio passed away peacefully on May 12th at the age of 96 years. She was born on April 4th 1928 in Carey, Ohio and the youngest of four children to Ernest Smiley and Iva Snyder. She spent much of her time growing up in Tiffin, Ohio where she graduated from Columbia High School. She then married Robert Franklin Wilt and had a son Robert Allan Wilt (now deceased). After her divorce she moved to Columbus, Ohio and married Nelson B Eldred (deceased and retired Army Colonel) where they lived in multiple cities until retiring in Marietta, Georgia. She was able to finish her college degree at Georgia State University in Education and subsequently served as a substitute elementary school teacher. She also became an accomplished genealogist of the Smiley family where her research has been dedicated to genealogical and historical societies in Ohio.

Joan is survived by her stepson Charles Nelson Eldred of Bluffton, South Carolina; two grandsons’ Christopher Samuel Wilt of Peachtree City, Georgia and Robert Andrew Wilt of Findlay, Ohio; three step-grandchildren Jennifer Michelle Carr of Marietta, Georgia, Stephen Charles Eldred of Senoia, Georgia and Joseph Allen Eldred of Macon, Georgia. She also has several great grandchildren; from Christopher’s family; Carter, Brady and Bennett; Robert’s family; Shelby, Adelaine and Edith. From Jennifer’s family; Palmer and Collins; Stephen’s family Amelia and Waylon.

Joan was very committed and passionate about education enough to encourage and emphasized its importance to her family and support them throughout the years. She will be missed by her family and also several caregivers Tomi, Rena, Jody, Lindsey, Melanie, Debi, Thu, Marianne, Toby and Diane who formed a village and devoted their time giving her a quality of life throughout her aging years. A special thank you to all those who dedicate their service to the elderly.

Visitation will at 3pm Sunday, May 26th at Brew Funeral Home, 48 South Street, Auburn, NY followed by a graveside burial service at 4pm at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, NY.

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