Joanne L. Dirksen

Joanne Louise Dirksen, 80, of Monroe, died Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Lebanon Country Manor. She was born in Niagara Falls, New York on October 26, 1934 to parents Wesley Bay and Edna Louise (Brown) Furry.

Joanne graduated from LaSalle High School in Niagara Falls, NY and majored in education and music at Fredonia State Teachers College. She was a prize-winning artist who was active with the Middletown Fine Arts Center, civic chorus, the Girl Scouts, was a member of Holy Family Parish and First Presbyterian Church, and volunteered at Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village. She began her teaching career at St. John de LaSalle Church in Niagara Falls, NY, and taught both elementary school and music in the Middletown and Monroe, Ohio Schools and private piano lessons from her home for many years. She left her students with fond memories of year-end recitals and campfires. Joanne was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her woods, birds, wildflowers, and her many Irish Setters. She was always the artist saying, "Music and Art continue to give meaning to my life."

Mrs. Dirksen is survived by her daughter, Debbie (Paul) Heck; sons, David M. (Mary Beth) Dirksen and Stephen (Tina) Dirksen; brother, Ronald Bay (Anne) Furry; grandchildren, Morgan Heck, Lauren Heck, Benjamin Dirksen, Katie Dirksen, Drew Dirksen and Kacey Dirksen; nieces and nephews, Suzanne Furry-Irish, Ken Furry, Donna (Furry) Tongue, Bill Dirksen, Bob Dirksen and Linda (Dirksen) Gressell; and many other loving family and friends.
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband David P. Dirksen in August of 2014, infant identical twin sons, and her parents.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. She will be laid to rest at North Monroe Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made In lieu of flowers to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420-1885.


Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044