Joan M. (Cummins) Paxton

Joan M. Paxton, age 88, of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Kingsbury Place Assisted Living. 

She was born in New Bavaria, Ohio on September 18, 1936, to the late Milton and Hazel (Thomas) Cummins. On October 1, 1960, she married the late Teddy “Ted” Paxton, the love of her life, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Holgate. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage and four children.

Joan graduated from Holgate High School where she was a cheerleader with her twin, Jane. She worked at Zeller Corporation and was a bus driver for Defiance City Schools for over 38 years. 

Joan’s most treasured moments were spent with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother (Momo). She will always be remembered for her love to walk.

Joan is survived by her loving children Todd (Gayla) Paxton of Oklahoma, Tracy Paxton of Texas, Amy (Dave) Behringer, and Teddy (Lisa) Paxton, both of Defiance, her grandchildren Ashley (Dace) Lemieux of Oklahoma, Connor Behringer of Columbus, OH, Audree (Cody) Winkle Texas, Alexa Behringer, Garett Paxton, Corbyn Paxton, all of Defiance, and Gavin Paxton Texas, as well as his great-grandchildren Paxton, Kace, and Asher Lemieux of Oklahoma. She is also survived by her loving sisters, Georgene Cummins and Diana Hunter and sisters-in-law Kathy Cummins, Nita Boyce, and Wanda Gordon.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ted, sister Jane Eis, brother Ben Cummins and her brothers-in-law Jerry Boyce, Brittain Gordon, Marvin Eis, Bill Meier and Rease Hunter. 

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and gracious staff at Kingsbury Place Assisted Living and Schaffer Funeral Home for their exceptional care not only for Joan but for her family as well. Your kindness and compassion helped us through some of our most difficult days, and that will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton Street) in Defiance. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Jason D'Souza officiating. Joan will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to CHP Defiance Area Hospice.

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