Joan Z. Marks

Joan Z. Marks, age 80, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Majestic Care of Carmel.

Born February 15, 1945, in Logansport, Indiana, Joan was the daughter of the late Roy and Helen (Clary) Jones. She graduated as Valedictorian from Star City High School in 1963 and went on to attend Purdue University, where she met the love of her life, Richard A. “Dick” Marks. They were married on August 22, 1965, and shared 44 wonderful years of marriage before his passing on November 4, 2009.

Joan was a longtime member of Castleton United Methodist Church and a woman of quiet strength, deep faith, and heartfelt devotion to her family. She had a talent for crocheting and cross-stitch, and her handcrafted blankets and gifts brought warmth and joy to many. Joan loved spending time on Sanibel Island watching sunsets and collecting shells, cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers and Indianapolis Colts, and, most of all, being with her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Applegarth (David) of LaPorte; her son, Scott Marks (Jamie) of St. Louis; her brothers, Rex Jones (Connie) of Indianapolis and Sammy Jones (Pam) of Star City; her sister, Susan Wood (Tom) of West Palm Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Jacob Applegarth (Joyce), Nicholas Applegarth (Kass), David Applegarth (Megan), Cooper Marks, and Layla Marks; and great-granddaughter, Juliette Applegarth.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. EST (1:00 p.m. CST) on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Door Village United Methodist Church, 3502 W. Joliet Road, LaPorte, Indiana. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Door Village Cemetery, adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization close to Joan’s heart.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.