Jennie Joan (Sellman) Gebhart

Jennie Joan Gebhart, 99, formerly of Kettering, OH passed away peacefully at 8:45 p.m. Saturday November 12, 2022 at Divine – Shane Hill Nursing Center in Rockford, OH.

Joan was  born February 6, 1923 in Pikeville in Darke Co., OH to Frederick and Cordella (Knick) Sellman.

She grew up on a farm with four siblings: Margaret (Sellman) Davis, James Sellman, John Sellman and Irene (Sellman) Gilbert, all of whom preceded her in death.

Joan married Harry Anson Gebhart in 1951 and he preceded her in death in 1984.

After attending Greenville High School, she went to work for National Cash Register (NCR) in Dayton, OH. During her time there, she played in a fast-pitch softball league for the Yellow Cab team. When not playing ball, she and her best friend, Neva, enrolled themselves in evening classes at Dayton Cosmetology School. Following graduation, she worked for a salon to gain experience in the hair business. After a few years, she went out on her own and opened her own salon on Main Street near the Arcade at the Harris Building for 35 years, prior to moving to a different location on 2nd Street, where she remained until retiring in 1992.

Following retirement, she devoted her time to church activities (Our Savior Lutheran) in Oakwood, OH. She truly enjoyed volunteering and also socializing with members of her church family. A group of her friends started the “Joy Group”, which traveled around the country to attend ball games for the Cincinnati Reds. 

On weekends, she would travel to visit family, including countless visits to Montezuma and St. Marys. Every year, Joan took her sisters on a vacation, while they were still in the prime of their lives.

Other favorite pastimes included going to lunch with friends and playing cards (especially euchre and Tripoley). She had many close friends, including  Ruth Bruns, Arlene Boomershine and Jean Nelson.

Joan’s memory will be cherished by her loving family. They truly considered her to be “an angel on Earth”.

Rites are scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday November 21, 2022 at the Miller Funeral Home 1605 Celina Road (Ohio 703 West) in St. Marys.

Entombment will take place in the mausoleum of the historic Woodland Cemetery in Dayton.

Visitation one hour prior to services on Monday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed and memories shared with Joan’s family via: www.millerfuneralhomes.net or by visiting the Miller Funeral Home Facebook Page.