FRANKLIN, IN.
Joan Regis (Koltenback) Pfifer, age 91 of Franklin, IN, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 2, 2023, surrounded by loved ones in her Franklin home.
Joan was born July 30, 1932, in Chicago, IL, to the late Harry and Mary Ellen (Switzer) Koltenback. She was a 1950 graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School, where she was active in student government and The Gavel Club. She moved to San Diego, CA, at age 18 and soon met the love of her life, Thomas Marion Pfifer. They wed on February 23, 1952, and were married for 44 years before his passing in July 1996.
Joan attended Grossmont Community College in San Diego, where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Library Science in 1977. Shortly after, she moved to Franklin, IN, and continued her education at Indiana Central/University of Indianapolis, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1988.
Joan spent the majority of her career in county government. She worked as a Payroll and Benefits Clerk for the Johnson County Auditor’s Office from 1977 to 1981. Joan retired in 2011 after a 30-year career as a Court Reporter in Johnson County Court, Johnson Circuit Court, Johnson County Superior Court I, and Johnson Superior Court II.
Joan was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Franklin. She served on the Franklin Police Department Merit Board. She was a member of the Alpha Lambda Honor Society and the Franklin Republican Women’s Club. Joan loved Notre Dame Football and rooting for the San Diego Chargers. She enjoyed reading, needlepoint, crocheting, and knitting highly-coveted Christmas stockings for her children and grandchildren. (You weren’t truly a Pfifer until you got “the stocking.”) Joan was an avid traveler who visited four continents and more than 30 countries.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, infant son William Charles, her parents, sister Eileen, and brother Robert.
Joan is survived by her sons Craig Pfifer of San Diego, CA, Richard (Martha), Bob (Debbie) of Franklin, IN, Tom Pfifer of San Diego, CA, and Bill (Pam) of Franklin, IN; and daughters Nancy (Mike) of San Diego, CA and Mary Ellen (Michael). She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren: Amy, Ian, Nicole, John Thomas, Douglas, Anne Marie, Michael, Sarah Regis, Kelly, Grant, Joshua, Mary Jane, James, Clark, and Sam; as well as 27 great grandchildren. She loved her two “grand-dogs” Baxter and Cody and “grandcat” Fitzgerald.
Father Tim DeCrane will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday October 6, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Dr, Franklin, IN 46131. Friends may call Thursday October 5, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and on Friday from 10:30am until the funeral service time at 11:30 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Joan to Trinity Free Clinic at www.TrinityFreeClinic.org/donate or Catholic Charities at www.archindy.org/cc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
