Joan L. Gern, 88, of Pleasant Township died Monday, August 15, 2016, at the Rouse Home.  Joan was born February 10, 1928, in Irvine, PA. She was the daughter of the late Forest and Harriet (Reynolds) Nichols.

Joan graduated with honors from Warren Area High School in 1946.  As a child, she lived in Irvine for a few years, and then later moved to Starbrick.  In 1946, Joan met the man who would later be her husband, Marshall Leo Gern, while square dancing.  Shortly after they were married they built a house in Pleasant Township and called it home ever since.

She was a member of the former First Baptist Church, and later joining Pleasant Community Church when they merged.  While her health allowed, she was active in Sunday school and the Faith Circle Women's Group.  Joan loved to read, and loved to do so until she was no longer able.  She had previously belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary at the Pleasant Fire Department.

Joan is survived by her son, Russell Gern, and his wife, Joyce, of Irmo, SC; one brother, Robert Nichols, and his wife, Barbara, of Warren; 3 grandchildren, Dennis Hogue, of Sunland, CA, Laura Gern Stevenson, and her husband, Greg, of Charlotte, NC, and Justin Gern, and his wife, Meredith, of Mount Pleasant, SC; 5 great-grandchildren, Jacob and Nicholas Hogue, of Sunland, CA, and Madeline, Benjamin and Caitlin Stevenson, of Charlotte, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death on March 5, 2012, by her husband, Marshall L. Gern; a son, Dennis Gern, in 1966; a daughter, Sandra Hogue, in 1976; a grandson, Todd Hogue, in 1994; and two siblings, Lee Akeley and Lewis Nichols.

Friends will be received at the Peterson - Blick Funeral Home, Inc, 1003 Penn Ave., E., Warren Thursday, August 18 from 6 to 8 p.m., and for one hour prior to a service to be held there on Friday, August 19, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Michael Poindexter, pastor, Pleasant Community Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution should consider Pleasant Community Church, 673 Pleasant Dr., Warren, PA 16365.