V. Joan Conway 1930-2025

Joan was born Jan. 26, 1930, to Smith and Abanna Cunningham Pealer. She grew up in Knox County, graduating from Amity High School in 1947. After high school, Joan attended Bowling Green State University, where she met her future husband, David W. Conway.

Joan graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in education and moved to Leetonia to begin her teaching career. One year later, she married David.

David and Joan then built their own home in Canfield, where they raised their four children: Nancy (Gregg) Campbell of Kennesaw, Georgia, Jim (Holly) Conway of Howard, Linda Self of Woodstock, Georgia, and Julie (Joe) Lang of Hilliard.

While living in Canfield, Joan was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Youngstown. Joan enjoyed working at the church’s pre-school after her own children were in school themselves.

Joan is survived by her four children; eight grandchildren, Alexis, Brent, Collin, Weston, Bryce, Brynley, Christopher and Megan; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Lois Senokozlieff of Perrysburg; sister-in-law, Polly Pealer Steltz of Fredericktown; and many loving nieces and nephews. She also leaves many longtime friends and more recent friends, including the staff and residents of Walnut Hills.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; brother, John Alvin Pealer; and sisters, Dorothy Farmer, Evelyn Smothers and Joyce Workman-Garvic.

Friends will be received beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, Youngstown, OH 44511, with a service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund.

(special notice)