Joan J. (Spencer) Trossen

Joan J. Trossen, a beloved child of God, was peacefully called home on May 9th, 2023, in Osceola, Indiana at the age of 98. She was born June 26th, 1924, in Cassopolis, Michigan, to the late Murl and Hope (Hershey) Spencer.  Joan was a shining light to all who knew her. With a heart full of love and a spirit filled with faith, Joan lived a life of selfless devotion to her family, her church, and her community. After graduating from Cassopolis High School, she continued her education at South Bend Business College, earning an associate degree. Joan married the love of her life, Clyde Trossen, on November 26, 1954, and together they built a beautiful life of love and faith. He preceded her in death on November 10, 2016.

Joan was blessed with a large and loving family, a testament to her unwavering dedication as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her sons, Daniel C. (Debi) Trossen of Altavista, Virginia, and Michael S. (Sue) Trossen of Osceola, Indiana; her eight grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren, with two more joining the family later this year; her siblings, J. George Spencer of South Bend, Jerilynn V. Spencer, and Judy (Randall) Uschold, both of Wisconsin; and her brother-in-law, James Daugherty of Arkansas. Joan was preceded in death by her siblings, Joyce Spencer, Jean A. Spencer, and Janice Daugherty, a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the 11:00 am celebration of life on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at New Life Church, 11593 McKinley Highway, Osceola.  For those unable to attend, a livestream of Joan’s service will be available in the video window below.  Cruz Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Osceola has been entrusted with her arrangements.

During her working years, Joan was employed by the Armour Company as a bookkeeper, where she also contributed her talents with office management, inventory and customer service. Her dedication to her work was matched only by her commitment to serving her community and her church. Joan was a longtime volunteer with Child Evangelism Fellowship of St. Joseph County, a Sunday School Superintendent, and a nursery volunteer at both Bertrand Bible Church, Niles, MI and The Peoples Church of South Bend, IN where she faithfully attended for many years.  She was a member of New Life Church in Osceola, IN for the last twenty years.

Joan's interests were as diverse as they were heartfelt. She had a deep love for reading and collecting books, and her home was filled with the wisdom and joy that literature brings. An avid collector of coins, Joan's extensive collection was a testament to her appreciation for history and the stories that each piece told. Above all else, Joan loved her family and her God. She was a prayer warrior, steadfast in her faith and unwavering in her devotion. Joan also had a special place in her heart for cats, and other gentle creatures that brought her comfort and companionship throughout her life.

In describing Joan, words like faith-filled, selfless, and gentle come to mind. She was a true example of what it means to live a life of love and devotion, always putting the needs of others before her own. Joan's gentle spirit and unwavering faith in God touched the lives of all who knew her, leaving a lasting impact on her family, her friends, and her community.

As we gather to celebrate the life of Joan J. Trossen, let us not mourn her passing but rejoice in the knowledge that she is now in the loving embrace of her Heavenly Father. She has joined her beloved husband, Clyde, and her cherished siblings in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, where she will forever watch over her family and friends. Let us remember Joan's gentle spirit, her faith-filled heart, and her selfless love, and let us strive to live our lives in a manner that honors her memory.

Rest in peace, Joan. Your light will continue to shine through the lives of those you have touched, and we will carry your love with us in our hearts, until we meet again in the presence of our Lord. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Joan’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.