On the day of Pentecost, May 24, 2026, at the age of 73, Joan Marie Monahan (née Ellis) went home to be with the Lord. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, friendship, and countless cherished memories.
Joan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 3, 1953, to John and Ruth (née Conrad) Ellis. She grew up in Delhi, where she met the love of her life, Joe Monahan. They had been inseparable since the eighth grade, were married on September 7, 1973, and were blessed with four children: Michelle, Jeff, Brian, and Jill. Together, they shared more than fifty years of marriage. Joan was a faithful wife and devoted servant of the Lord who lovingly cared for her family and friends. She was known for never sitting still, for baking the very best sugar cookies, and for always putting others’ needs before her own. Joan offered a listening ear to everyone she met, and she always had a Bible verse or prayer to share for encouragement, comfort, and peace. Her faith in Jesus shone brightly through the way she loved, supported, and cared for others.
Joan was athletic, an avid reader, and deeply fulfilled by her God-given roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, as well as by the many positions she held within Sunman Dearborn Community Schools. For more than twenty years, she faithfully served students and staff as a teacher’s aide, tutor, and library assistant. She especially enjoyed sharing her love of reading by gifting books and magazine subscriptions. Joan found immense joy cheering on her children and grandchildren in sports, extracurricular activities, and all of life’s accomplishments. She always reminded them of one of her favorite Bible verses, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Though Joan was strong in many ways, she knew where her true strength came from.
Joan leaves behind her dear and devoted husband, Joseph Monahan; her beloved children and their families: Michelle (John) Schaurer, Jeff Monahan, Brian (Lisa) Monahan, and Jill (Rick) Bingham; cherished grandchildren: Caleb and Cole Monahan; Whitney, Olivia, and Brooklyn Schaurer; Anabelle, Lilian, Mariella, and William Monahan; and Jacob Scudder and Caroline Bingham; siblings: Tom Ellis, Diane (Marshall) Sidwell, Ken Ellis, and Laurie Waddle; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many wonderful friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth (née Conrad) Ellis, and her brother, Paul Ellis.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, June 5th at St. Joseph Parish Life Center, 7494 Church Lane, West Harrison, IN 47060, from 3:30 – 5:45 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at St. Joseph Catholic Church of All Saints Parish beginning at 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Joan’s giving spirit, donations may be made to North Dearborn Pantry or the FCCLA Trojan Food Pantry (checks payable to ECHS). Funeral home representatives will be available to assist with memorials during the visitation. Memorial donations may also be mailed to North Dearborn Pantry at 2517 North Dearborn Rd., West Harrison, IN 47060 or made online at https://northdearbornpantry.org/.