Joan E. Hawbaker 

Joan Hawbaker passed away May 1, 2006 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. She died peacefully with a hospice nurse making sure she was comfortable. Joan was born on December 1, 1928 to Irma and Wilbur Shanafelt in South Bend, Indiana.

She attended South Bend Central high school and graduated from Purdue University with a masters degree in economics. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Joan was pursuing a career in real estate when she met and married Maurice Hawbaker in 1959. She gave up her career to be a mother to his children, Marcia 7 and Martin 5. In 1961, they moved to Lafayette, Indiana where they lived until 1980 when they moved to Austin, Texas. Joan was active in many organizations including the United Methodist churches in South Bend, Lafayette, Austin and Cedar Park.

She was also active in the League of Women Voters, The Sierra Club, Church Women United and many others. Her last year in Lafayette she received the "George Award" form the Lafayette Journal and Courier for her work in recognizing the unmet needs of the poor and carrying through programs to meet those needs. She was cited for organizing a volunteer group, Advocates, to accompany poor relief applicants on visits to Township Trustees and establishing uniform standards for acceptance and rejections.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Irma and Wilbur Shanafelt.

She is survived by her husband, Maurice who cared for her until the final month of her illness, daughter Marcia Gross and husband Elliot of Crown Point, Indiana, son Martin and wife Caroline of Mesquite, sister Carolyn and husband William Wells of Fishers, Indiana, and grandchildren Joshua Gross, Jacob Gross, Jessica Shea and Brad Hawbaker.

A memorial service will be held May 19, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cedar Park Methodist Church, 600 W. Park St., Cedar Park. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on May 7, 2006.

01/27/2023 EJS