Date of Death: August 7, 2021
Service Details
On Saturday, August 14, 2021, Graveside services will take place at 11 AM at Marcellus Cemetery, with Pastor Jamey Smith officiating. Per Joan’s request, her grandsons Kyle and Chad will be in their fireman blues to escort their Gma to her final resting place.
Obituary Notice
“Goodbyes are one of the hardest things about life. One way or another, people were always leaving… Always moving on.”
― Karen Kingsbury
Joan Laura Bard, age 87, of Marcellus, Michigan, passed away at Three Rivers Hospital on August 7, 2021.
On October 10, 1933, Joan was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Edward and Sadie Hirschman. Later, in November of 1951, she married her husband Douglas Bard in the same city.
For many years, Joan worked as an office manager in a medical office and later retired from Hogan Insurance to be a full-time grandmother and nanny to her cherished grandchildren. People will never forget her unique laugh that put a smile on everyone’s face.
Joan is survived by her daughters, Catherine (David) Susewitz of Livonia, MI, Karen (Kenneth) Zurawski of Schoolcraft, MI, Cynthia (Kim) Witt of Marcellus, MI, and her daughter in law Mary Frances Bard of Denver, CO. She also leaves behind her sister Maxine Powell, of Colombia, MO, a niece, Kay (Al) Reich, nephew Robert (Magel) Debo, and sister-in-law Jeannie Hirschman. Joan was intent on raising her family to be strong, and she set an example for them with the way she fought through and overcame many obstacles in her life.
Gma, as her grandchildren affectionately called her, will be sadly missed. She loved to take her grandbabies on outings, always saying that she wasn’t an “apron-wearing grandma” but was always up for an adventure. She treasured her relationship with each of them, which include Kelly (Ali) Shakoor of Dearborn Heights, MI, Kyle (Jennifer) Susewitz of West Bloomfield, MI, Kristi (Brian) Bugajski of Valparaiso, IN, Chad (Tracie) Witt of Marcellus, MI, Ashley (AJ) High of Cassopolis, MI, Lauren (Sasha Latham) Bard of The Woodlands, Texas, Allison (Chris) Gellner of Denver, CO, as well as many others in the community that lovingly referred to her as their own.
Joan was a person that would love and accept anyone who came into her life. Once you entered her circle, you were linked to her forever, and she would love you like you were her own family.
“This last year… I learned something about family. Like it’s not about blood alone. It’s being connected… it’s growing up together and loving each other. It’s believing in the same God and knowing you’d do anything for the person across from you at dinner.”
― Karen Kingsbury
Nothing brought GiGi more joy than her great-grandchildren. Lianna and Iman Shakoor, Michael Susewitz, Elizabeth and Emily Bugajski, Kason, Brynley, and Knox Witt, Lincoln, Jayla, Harper, and Reagan High, Grant and Drew Caroline Gellner. GiGi loved to sit and bond with the youngest members of the family, breaking out her adult coloring books to join in on the fun.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas, son Stephan, grandson Kory, sister Ruby Debo, brothers Alfred and Larry Hirschman. Joan made the most out of her life and was determined to make her years on earth the best in quality that she could.
Additional Information
Memorials may be directed to Marcellus Fire and Ambulance Service. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home.
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