Longtime Yeager Drive resident Joan Hughes, 76, passed away in the presence of her loving and devoted family on Sunday, May 22, 2016. For the past several months, Joan had been a resident of The Orchards in East Liverpool, where she died at 3:49 p.m.

A daughter of the late Curtis and Myrtle Wellman Yeager, she was born on January 18, 1940 in Midkiff, WV. Her family moved to the Yeager farm (which later became Yeager Drive) when she was a young girl, and she remained here ever since. She was a member of the East Liverpool High School Class of 1958.

On July 28, 1961, she married Leo Keith Hughes, who passed away on July 26, 2011 – two days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

For over 24 years, Joan was a school bus driver for Beaver Local school system, retiring in 1995. Never one to be still, she soon became involved in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and was a facilitator of the East Liverpool Breast Cancer Support Group. She proudly helped bring the Relay for Life to the community – an event that grew and flourished under her leadership as chairman. In 2001, she was awarded the Khepera’s Key for her selfless giving of time, talent and energy on behalf of the East Liverpool Cancer Task Force. She was a constant encourager whose compassion for others knew no bounds.

Joan attended Glenmoor Presbyterian Church.

She leaves behind her two daughters: Dana Wright and her husband, Rich, and Traci Furman and her husband, Eric, all of Yeager Drive.

“Miggie”, as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren, will be greatly missed by Sierra Wright, Shane Wright and Karlee Furman. She was preceded in death on June 23, 2007 by another granddaughter, Paige DeSarro.

Additional survivors include two sisters: Wilma Anderson and her husband, Jerry, of East Liverpool and Vivian Mars and her husband, John, of St. Augustine, FL, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Two brothers and four sisters preceded her in death: Mildred Yeager, Maxine DeLauder, Opal Owens, Betty Wright, Bobby Dane Yeager, and Uhl “Strother” Yeager. Joan also leaves behind many friends who were always there for her – especially Barb Kalinowski, who went above and beyond in her devotion to Joan.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Wednesday, where the family will be present from 2 to 6 p.m.

Services will take place at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, with family friend Pastor Rick Dawson of Sycamore United Methodist Church officiating. Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for a continued time of fellowship and remembrance.

Joan will be laid to rest at Columbiana County Memorial Park.

Contributions in Joan’s memory may be sent to the Paige DeSarro Memorial Scholarship, c/o Beaver Local Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 2503, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920.

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