Joan Marilyn Sheldon Voglis

Joan Marilyn Sheldon Voglis, 91, of East Stroudsburg, PA, peacefully passed away on April 23, 2024, just one

day shy of the 40 th anniversary of the death of her son, Michael T. Voglis (25). She is predeceased by her

husband of 68 years, Michael A. Voglis; and sisters, Vera Piwnica (Andre) and Wilma Erickson (John). Joan

was born to parents Lena and Walter Sheldon, on February 21, 1933 in Clifton, New Jersey.

Joan graduated from Clifton High School in 1950. Joan went on to study nursing at Barnegat Hospital in

Paterson. She later completed her studies and graduated with an LPN in 1967. Joan was employed for a time

as a nurse at Chilton Memorial Hospital. Later Joan worked in Meyer Brothers in the women’s clothing

department where she loved helping customers find the perfect outfit. Finding a bargain on the clearance

racks with the addition of her employee discount was a favorite pastime. After retirement, Joan’s connection

to her Meyer Brother’s colleagues continued for more than 20 years at their weekly Wednesday pizza lunch at

Vinni’s Pizzarama in Wayne.

Joan and Michael were part of a close-knit group of neighbors on Toms Lake Road. There were many meals

and dances among the group which included: the Babich, Napadano, Schwab, Stern and Tkach families.

Charlie and Effie Stern became more than neighbors over the 64 years they lived next door always providing

help when needed at a moment’s notice.

Joan met Michael while she was a student and he was a teaching assistant. Michael served as Joan’s chemistry

and math tutor and the rest is history. They were married on December 22, 1952 in Clifton, NJ. Together

they raised six children: Linda Gottfried (Brad), Diane Balla (Robert), Nancy Dann (Roger), Michael Voglis

(deceased), Tom Voglis, John Voglis (Elena). Joan spent most of her adult life living in Wayne, New Jersey.

She loved spending summers at Captain Kilroy Park (Toms Lake), and any time at the Jersey shore, especially

Seaside Heights.

Joan’s days began quietly with a cup of tea, a buttered English muffin and maybe a hardboiled egg. Next came

a thorough reading of the local newspapers. If she read something you should know, Joan would clip the

article and immediately send it to you augmented with underlining of important information. She was a

faithful watcher of “Days of Our Lives,” and loved to make predictions for the characters’ next moves. The

NJ Devils had no bigger fan than Joan. She would wear her Devils jersey and root for them during every

televised game even when the games went past midnight. (Joan cheered especially loudly when they played

against the NY Islanders or Rangers.) A few private wagers were made between Victor Galderisi and Joan.

She celebrated joyfully when they won the Stanley Cup in 1995, 2000 and 2003. Her cheering continued in

warmer weather for the NY Mets; her favorite player was Mike Piazza. Joan also had a not-so-secret crush on

Elvis and openly referred to him as her boyfriend.

If you wanted to make Joan happy, just offer ice cream in any form. Her name was engraved at the Bonds ice

cream store for consuming three of the famous “Awful Awfuls.” But, if no ice cream were available, chocolate

éclairs would be an acceptable substitute.

Later in life she traveled to Greece many times and her travel diaries were published in a book entitled,

“Travels with Joan” about her adventures in Greece. (Available on Amazon.)

Joan is survived by eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Thomas Nieman (Janine), Michael

Nieman (Joanne), Benjamin Berry (fiancée Megan), Stephanie Berry (Jordan), Steven Dann (Janice), Emily

Dann, Kevin Dann, Michael Voglis, Melissa Voglis (Brent), Derek Voglis, Erika Voglis. Great-grandchildren:

Aiden and Amelia Nieman, Adina and Elias Nieman, Everly and Jack Malenke, Niko Alexander, Izaiah

Voglis-Burmahl. Nieces and nephews: Jan, John (Lynne), Tom (Cindy) and Clay (Linda) Erickson; Helene

and Jay Piwnica; Ifigenia Tsiftsi (Dinos) and Thanos Voglis (Maria).

The family is planning a memorial service at a future date to accommodate travel from around the country.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Hutchcraft Ministries, PO Box 400, Harrison AR 72602,

serving Native American populations, which is Joan’s designated nonprofit.