Obituary of Joan Louise Elder

September 17, 1935 – March 25, 2025

Joan Louise Elder, 89, of Lebanon Township, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. Born on September 17, 1935, in Wilson Borough, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Anna Cruts. Joan grew up in Butler Park and graduated from Washington High School in 1953.

In 1955, she married the love of her life, Ted Elder, with whom she shared 66 wonderful years until his passing in 2022. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising their two children, Jim and Catherine, in Lebanon Township, NJ.

Joan dedicated many years of service as a bookkeeper at the Hunterdon Developmental Center. A devoted parishioner at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Hampton, NJ, her faith was a guiding force in her life. She found great joy in traveling with her husband, spending cherished summers at their beach condo in North Carolina. An avid bowler, Joan participated in numerous bowling leagues throughout her life. She was also an active member of her community, serving in the Butler Park Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and, until her recent illness, as treasurer of the Oxford Seniors’ Young at Heart Club.

Joan is survived by her loving son, Jim Elder, and his wife, Alyson; her adored grandchildren, Meghan Hill and her husband Jeff, Brittany Friedel and her husband Justin, and Christopher Elder and his wife Armani. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren Jamie, Micah, and Maddon Hill, and Axel, Duke, and Cash Friedel, who brought her immense joy.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ted Elder, her cherished daughter, Catherine Elder, and her siblings, Frances Fell Cruts, Honey Rush, Dolly Timmer, Frank Cruts, and Charles Cruts.

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held on Friday, April 4^th from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at, Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home & Cremation Service, located at 142 West Washington Avenue, Washington NJ 07882. Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, April 5^th at 10:00AM at The Church of St. Ann, located at 6 Church Street, Hampton NJ. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. To send condolences to the family please visit www.knolldevoefh.com.

Joan’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family and friends will be deeply missed but forever remembered.