Teresa Joos

Teresa Ann Melaragno Joos died peacefully in her sleep at Mt. Carmel East Hospital June 4, 2018. She was born July 19, 1934 in Columbus, Ohio to Nicola and Mary (Lombardi) Melaragno. She met the love of her life, Francis Joos, at a social event with friends. The minute she saw him, Teresa turned and whispered to a friend that Francis was the man she was going to marry. They were indeed married on September 17, 1955 in Columbus, Ohio. Francis preceded her in death on March 19, 2018. During their 62 years together, they enjoyed traveling to many of the 50 states and other countries. Teresa graduated from Sacred Heart School of Business in 1951. She began her business career with Nationwide Insurance Company from 1951 and continued working there until 1958. Terri was the epitome of ‘behind every successful man there is a woman’. She assisted her husband with his veterinarian practice while raising six children in McComb, Ohio. While living in McComb, Terri was involved with many school and civic organizations and belonged to the local ladies golf league. Where ever she lived, she made numerous friends and always enjoyed playing cards. She and her family participated in the International Student Exchange program sponsored by Rotary and has enjoyed a long wonderful relationship with her ‘son’ Pierre Gobet from Switzerland. They also hosted Wolfram Gellendin from Germany. Her Catholic faith was a very important part of her life. Terri served as the Adoption Secretary for Catholic Family Services in Amarillo, Texas from 1979-1986. She loved serving in this position as babies brought such happiness to her life and she joyously watched as families were created through adoption. She also worked for the McComb School District from 1970-1972, Kibsgard Auto Sales from 1974-1975, the Westown-East Goshen Police Department in West Chester, Pennsylvania from 1984-1986 and the American Institute in Pennsylvania from 1987-1989. While she lived in Pickerington, she worked at the Pickerington Senior Center. She is survived by her children Deb Bechstein, Regina (Joe) George, Mark (Jackie) Joos, David (Sylvia) Joos, Michael (Claudia) Joos and Beth (Mark) Drew, grandchildren Erica (Scott), Lauren (Bob), Alison (Charles), Travis (Rene), Solomon, Teresa (Jon), Natalie, Jason (Mindy), Nathan, Eric (Jordan) and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Esther Rogers, Nick (Mary Lou)Melaragno, Mary Ann (Carl) Fielding and Angie (Mike) Welling and sisters and brothers in law Mary Mulroy, Margaret Blake, Dorothy Wright, Jean Schmelzer, Shirley Joos, Ann Kunkler, Phil Joos, Cathy (Don Emerick) and numerous nieces and nephews. Teresa was preceded in death by her parents, Nicola and Mary Melaragno, Mother and Father in law, Edward and Hilda Joos; brother in law Gus Rogers; sons in law Bill Bechstein and Darrell Dreasher. Family and friends may visit 3-7pm on Sunday, June 10, at Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 550 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, OH 43147 with a vigil service beginning at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass officiated by Fr. James A Klima will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 11, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 600 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, OH 43147. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Vincent de Paul Society and the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693