Joan Fulling

Joan Fulling, 85, of Palestine, IL, died on October 16, 2020, at Gentlecare Nursing Home in Vincennes, IN. She was born on April 20, 1935, in Chicago, IL; the daughter of Joe & Emily (Kaplan) Vladar. Joan's parents were 100% Czeck of which they were enormously proud. She is survived by her husband Max; by her sons & daughters-in-law, Eric & Marilyn Fulling (Palestine, IL), Bruce & Debbie Fulling (Indianapolis, IN) and Kyle & Dee Fulling (Robinson, IL); by her 11 grandchildren, Patrick, Jason, Jennifer, Amanda, LeeAnne, Kaycee, Lance, Jay, Stephanie, Valarie and Bradley; by 17 great-grandchildren, 1 brother-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law, 4 first cousins & their families, 15 nieces and nephews & their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe & Emily Vladar, 4 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law and 4 first cousins. Joan was a 1953 graduate of Oak Park River Forest. She would further her education at the University of Illinois for two years. She married Max Fulling on June 25, 1955, one week after Max's graduation. Joan and Max were happily married for 65 years. In January 1959, Joan was featured in McCall’s Magazine with an article about her making the big move from the city to a small country town and life on the farm. Joan continued her education by taking an art class at Vincennes University. She was one of the first students to attend Lincoln Trail College when it first opened. She then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in the arts from Indiana State University. The arts were a longtime passion of Joan’s over the course of her life. Joan won many awards for her artwork. She taught painting and drawing for several decades at the junior high, high school, college level, as well as the local prison. She also gave private art and piano lessons. Joan was a member of the Crawford County Council of the Arts. Her artwork may be found in several locations throughout the area. Renovation of the Fife Opera House was near and dear to Joan’s heart. Over the last 30 years she worked countless hours with many volunteers and enjoyed seeing everyone’s smiles. She loved seeing the Fife used as a venue for debutante balls, art shows, receptions, class reunions, showers, teeny-tiny tea parties, and in 2013, her granddaughter’s wedding. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Palestine. As a newlywed couple Joan and Max assisted with the church’s youth group and singing in the choir. She began playing the church organ in September of 1960 and continued to play the organ, piano as well as sang for over 59 years. Joan found enjoyment in swimming at a young age. She was involved in swimming activities in high school and college and later in her life at the LTC Natatorium and French Lick, IN. Travel was also a huge part of Joan’s life. She began taking trips with her parents, family trips with her children, grandchildren and lastly trips with just her and Max. Joan has traveled to many beautiful places. A few of her favorite traveling experiences included water activities and going to the Municipal Opera in St. Louis, Mo. A not so fond traveling memory for Joan was a camping trip in Colorado in the subfreezing temperatures. Joan also enjoyed playing bridge on both couples’ and women’s bridge clubs. Joan will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. It is with regret that, due to the newly-increased public safety measures being enforced by the State of Illinois, there will not be a public visitation, nor will there be an in-person service. However, Joan and Max's family would like to invite you to view the live stream of their service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th. This can be done on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Following the service, a graveside will be held at the Palestine Cemetery, where, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., the public will be given the opportunity to drive-by to offer comfort and support to the family. *Please note that drive-by attendees will be staged in the lot to the west of the Rodeo arena before being led through the cemetery.* Memorials may be made to the "Fife Opera House", the "Crawford County 4-H and Extension Foundation", or to the “American Cancer Society” with envelopes available at the cemetery.