Joan Clara Blecha, 83, of Festus, formerly of Imperial, died Oct. 27, 2018 in Nassau, the Bahamas. Mrs. Blecha was a member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. She loved camping, boat riding, visiting the beach, sports, music and spending time with her family. Born June 25, 1935, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Clara (Keller) and Charles F. Hertenstein Sr.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Donald William Blecha.
She is survived by four sons: Doug (Lou) Blecha of Festus, Tim (Jolene) Blecha of Imperial, Ken (Laura) Blecha of Festus and Tony (Bethany) Blecha of Festus; three daughters: Kris (Brent) Abrams, Donna (Scott) Rudolph and JoAnn (Shane) Barbagallo, all of Festus; a sister: Beverly Ann Hampton of Manchester; a sister-in-law: Carol Hertenstein of Washington; 20 grandchildren: Jacob (Amber Sweeney) and Ben (Carissa) Abrams, Brent (Kassie) Abrams II, Brittany (Zech) Shoults, Devin (Kristy), Adam (Jennifer Lackey), Aaron, Nicholas (Erin), Justin (Becky Addison), Christopher, Nicole, Hunter, Brooklyn and Kourtney Blecha, Shelby (Matthew Jones), Allison and Ryan Rudolph, Grace, Rachel and Anthony Barbagallo, and 16 great-grandchildren: Braiden, Scarlet, Cayden, Jackson, Emma, Ava and River Blecha, Issac, Jerzey, Waylon and Ryliegh Abrams, Caiden Ward, Abram Shoults and Caitlyn, Caileb and Kinsley Sweeney.
She was preceded in death by a brother: Charles F. Hertenstein Jr.; and a brother-in-law: John Hampton.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Our Lady Catholic Church, 1550 St. Marys Lane, Festus, officiated by Father Tom Keller. Memorials may be made to the Cystinosis Research Network, 302 Whytegate Court, Lake Forest IL 60045. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.