Obituary of Joan Esther McCombs
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Age 89, of Clio, died Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Ascension Genesys Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Mt. Morris Community Church, with burial to follow in the spring of 2021 at Yuba Cemetery in Traverse City. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the Ethnos 360 (New Tribes Missions), Missions Aviation Fellowship, or Wycliffe Bible Translators. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Joan's tribute page at martinfuneralhome.com.
Joan was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 7, 1931, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and Mary (Elcy) Medler. She met, fell in love with, and was married to the love of her life, Clair McCombs on August 18, 1947, in Coral, MI. Joan was very active and was a flight instructor until her retirement in 2013. She was an experienced pilot, having raced in 11 Air Race Classics (powder puff derbies) with her twin sister, Janet as her co-pilot. Joan was a member of the Ninety-Nine, an international organization of women pilots. She was a military wife and had the privilege of living all over the world. Joan worked for 20 years with the Cadence Mission and hosted weekend dinners for troops at outlying military bases all over the world for 30 or 40 people at a time. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Newaygo for many years and was attending the Mt. Morris Community Church until the time of her passing. She was a member of ETHOS360, the Mission Aviation Fellowship, and the WBT foundation, she has former students and family serving in these and other mission groups, worldwide. Joan was an avid prayer warrior and often hosted large gatherings, dinner parties, and bible studies. She led a community Bible study and was a member of the Officer Christian Fellowship (OCF) Bible study and Christian women's club. In her free time, Joan enjoyed flying, golfing, cooking, hosting, traveling, and teaching.
Joan leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 74 years: Clair McCombs; six children: Dale and wife, Mary McCombs, Deborah and husband, John Montague, Dianne and husband, Duane Linsley, Douglas and wife, Marcia McCombs, Daniel and wife, Cindy McCombs, Dardi and husband, Franc Roy; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two siblings: twin sister, Janet Morrison, and Donald and wife, Karen Medler.
Joan was preceded in death by her sister: Arlene Bailey; brother: Thomas Medler
