Joan P. Leinbach, 86, of La Porte, Ind., passed away peacefully on Nov. 30, 2020, at home surrounded by her family.
She was born Nov. 13, 1934, in La Porte to Willard and Margaret (Oberem) Nichols.
Joan retired from the La Porte Community School Corporation after 30 years as a devoted and caring second-grade teacher. She graduated from Ball State University and Indiana University South Bend. Joan enjoyed her Bunco Club and Lincoln Elementary School retired teachers’ group, and for many years volunteered at the La Porte Hospital gift shop, Door Village Harvest Festival and La Porte County Pioneer Land. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in La Porte.
Joan is survived by her children, Matt (Mary Lynne) Plis of Glendale, Ariz., Mark Plis of Tijeras, N.M., Margo (Matt) Bowen of Michiana Shores, Ind., and Marti (Andy Card) Hankins of Fishers, Ind.; grandchildren, Ben and Abe Plis, Montana Kliphan, Morgan Schwarz, Taylor Bowen, and Max and Mason Hankins; great-grandson, Jaden Schwarz; and sister, Betty Bunce of Freeport, Fla..
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Earl R. Leinbach, and siblings Richard Nichols, Jeanette Gaekle and Willard Nichols, Jr. She was previously married to the late Joseph S. Plis of La Porte.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, La Porte. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at Bethany Lutheran Church, La Porte, where family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Fletcher Cemetery, Hamlet, Ind.
Due to COVID-19, all attending are required to wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Lincoln Elementary School Library, 402 Harrison St., La Porte, Ind. 46350, or The Bethany Foundation, 102 G St., La Porte, Ind. 46350.
Memorial contributions will be accepted at the funeral service or may be mailed directly to Essling Funeral Home, 1117 Indiana Ave., La Porte, Ind. 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.