Joan R. Sollazzo: 1936 – 2011
Joan R. Sollazzo, 75, a resident of Churubusco and widow of Columbus John Sollazzo, passed away at 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Kingston Care Center in Fort Wayne. She had been a patient there for the past two years.
Mrs. Sollazzo was born in Fort Wayne on January 30, 1936, a daughter of Raymond and Wava (Brandt) Stilwell, and spent her formative years there.
On July 3, 1964 she was married in Fort Wayne to Columbus John Sollazzo. The couple spent the first months of their marriage in Fort Wayne before moving to Churubusco in 1965.
Always having a love for children, she worked as a licensed day care provider for 30 years. Later in life she also worked at Shroyer’s Variety & Hardware in Churubusco.
She was a member of the Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post 3846, and in her leisure time she was a avid gardener. Most importantly, she loved and cherished her family.
Mr. Sollazzo preceded her in death on October 4, 1997.
The surviving relatives include four children Robert Sollazzo, Jr. and Susan (Pierre) Longardner, both of Churubusco, John R. (Beth) Sollazzo of Columbia City, and Tony (Phyllis) Sollazzo of Clarion, Iowa; a step-daughter Rosalie Sollazzo of Mansfield, Ohio; two sisters Barbara (Lawrence “Bud”) Dennison of Pomona, Calif. and Mary (Jim) Ehinger of Fort Wayne; three brothers Richard (Shirley) Stilwell and James (Pat) Stilwell, both of New Haven, and Don (Debbie) Stilwell of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a step-daughter Barbara Prudhome; and by a grandson Jon Longardner.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Lane Burgland, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p. m.
Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco, or Churubusco Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3846.
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To leave an online condolence for the family in Mrs. Sollazzo’s memory, click on condolences below. . .
November 28th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
So sorry to hear of her passing , you are in my thoughts and prayers
November 29th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Our deepest sympathies for the Stilwell and Sollazzo families for your loss.
The Lord has many ways to heal us; He has taken her home.
Cora and Rick Brandt
November 29th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Tony and Suzy, I am so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. I was fortunate to get to know her from doing her hair. She was such a kind and loving woman and treated me very well. I remember when my dad was at Kingston this past jan. and feb. and I visited with Joan. She told me that she was worried about my dad ’cause he wasn’t eating. I found her concern very indearing. She will be missed terribly. Prayers to you all, Monica Nichols
November 29th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Bob, our thoughts are with you and we know there is comfort being among family. God Bless You and the family.
We have you in our prayers.
Lynn & Sandy Knapp
November 29th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Susan,
Thinking of you during this time of loss.
Peggy (Figgins) Kreger
November 30th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
We all love our Aunt Joan. She was a very special Aunt, and we will greatly miss her. Our thoughts are with all who knew her. May we all be comforted by the Spirit at this time, to know that she is with God & loved ones. Until we meet again in Heaven.
Carolyn Dennison McCook & Family
November 30th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
What Hope for Dead Loved Ones?
“If a man die, shall he live again?” asked the man Job long ago. (Job 14:14).
Perhaps you, too, have wondered about this. How would you feel if you knew that a reunion with your loved ones was possible right here on earth under the best of conditions? Well, the Bible makes the promise: “Your dead ones wil live…They will rise up.” And the Bible also says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”-Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29.
To have real confidence in such promises, we need to answer some basic questions: Why do people die? Where are the dead? And how can we be sure they can live again. Would you welcome more information. Please email me. Thanks
Neighbor; Ernestine
November 30th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
We are thinking about all of you during this difficult day. Wish we could be there to show our support like all of you did for Todd. Aunt Joan with be missed and always remembered! I like to remember the fun times we had, like going to Turtle Days. Love all of you!
November 30th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Family,
You all have had a very big loss which can be balanced only by the memories you have and the knowledge that Joan touched so many lives in positive ways. She was kind to others; even in her last few weeks of life here she showed more concern for her dying roommate than she did for herself. As you know, I had the pleasure of spending many hours with her. She was a joy to be with. Her smile or laugh lit up the room where she was. She has a heart of gold. We will miss her, but be comforted by knowing she is in a better place.