Joan Marie Heitmeyer

Joan Marie (Pitson) Heitmeyer, 86, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, a longtime resident of Sidney, Ohio, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio. 
 
She was born July 4, 1938, in Continental, Ohio, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Kistler) Pitson. On October 25, 1958, she married Virgil Heitmeyer at St. John’s Catholic Church in Continental, and together they lovingly raised four sons. He preceded her in death on May 8, 2016. Joan is survived by her children Gary Heitmeyer and wife Angie, Dan Heitmeyer and wife Jill, Chris Heitmeyer and wife Debbie, and Tony, all of Sidney; her grandchildren: Nick (Bailey) Heitmeyer, Ashley (Eric) Leach, Jennifer Heitmeyer, Caroline Heitmeyer, Megan (Trey) Everett, and Ryan (Lolah) Heitmeyer; and four step-grandchildren: Taylor Hankey, BT (Amy) Landrum, TJ (Mark) Bales, and Tracey (Chris) Gockley; six great-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren; and precious pets Beulah and Tucker. 
 
Also surviving are her treasured sisters-in-law Loreen Williams, Rosemary Wasserman, and Alice Swetland; brother-in-law Gene Heitmeyer, and his wife Anne; and dozens of nieces and nephews she adored. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother Fred Pitson; sisters Alice Rayle and Betty Morman; and other deeply missed in-laws and nephews.
 
After graduating salutatorian from Continental Palmer High School in 1956—where she played softball and was a majorette—Joan worked at banks in Defiance and later Sidney, following the family’s move from Continental in 1969. Having taken time to raise her children and be a homemaker, she returned to the workforce joining the City of Sidney in accounts payable. She worked part-time for her son, Gary, at FDL Automation & Supply after her retirement. 

Joan was a devout Catholic and a long-time parishioner of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney, where she was a past member of the Altar Rosary Society and Newman Club. She enjoyed bowling, competing in a league for many years, and was a past member of Sidney’s Sock & Buskin Players Community Theatre. Her favorite pastime was monthly card club, where she played with a group of the same ladies—some of her best friends—for decades. Joan always enjoyed visiting with her family and friends, including her new friends at Otterbein Cridersville—but notably her neighbors on Meadow Lane—especially sitting on the porch with Doris.
 
Spending time with her grandchildren meant everything to her—she cherished them—and they all made her and Grandpa Virg very proud. In her younger years, she loved playing catch with them in the backyard and attending their games and school functions. Always the sweet tooth, Grandma Jo passed down her famous Scotcheroo recipe to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, forging lasting memories when they’d help her make a batch at Norris Lake.
 
She will forever be remembered for her goodbye expression “I love you more,” which she was still saying right up to her final hours before she entered Heaven. 
 
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Friday, April 25, 2025 at Holy Angels Catholic Church with her nephew, Father James Morman, officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Sidney. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24 from 4 to 7 P.M., and on Friday from 9 to 10 A.M., at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home in Sidney. Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Angels Catholic Church, 119 East Water Street, Sidney, Ohio 45365. Condolences to the family can be made at www.cromesfh.com.