Jean Darland Joldersma

Arta Jean Darland Joldersma, 90 passed away August 15, 2024, at Goshen Hospital.

She was born in Akron, Ohio on January 28, 1934 to Wilma (Helcher )and Arthur Fentress.

Jean was raised in Waverly, Tennessee then moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Fulton High School and University of Georgia. On June 20, 1953 she married Billy Martin Darland in Atlanta, Georgia. They celebrated 42 years of marriage before he passed away on December 9, 1995. On May 26, 2001 she married Jack M. Joldersma. They were married 10 years when he passed away June 5, 2011.

She was proceeded in death by both parents and two sisters; Carol McRee of Conover, North Carolina and Lois Wilbur of Spring Hill, Florida.

Jean is survived by three children: Deborah Ann (David) Hochstetler of Goshen, IN, James A. Darland of Yulee, FL and Tracy M. (Keena) Darland of Mooresville, NC. Jean’s blended family includes seven of Jack’s children: Charlotte (Greg) Hoogenboom, Roy (Brigitte) Joldersma, Daniel (Donna) Joldersma, Glen (Rebecca) Joldersma, Gerald (Audra) Joldersma, all of Goshen, IN, David (Janice) Joldersma of Elkhart, IN and Marilyn (Tim) Westergren of Madrid, Spain. Jean had six grandchildren: Ashley (Ryan) Mault of Ocean City, MD, Austin (Jennifer) Carpenter of Crown Point, IN, Shelby (Mike) Kozachik of Columbus, IN, Haley (Tyler) Carver of Bargersville, IN, Taylor (Brittany) Darland of Huntersville, NC and Camryn Darland of Wilmington, NC.

Jean was a past member of Psi Iota Xi sorority and Questers LaSalle-Rosseau of Goshen, IN for more than two decades. A crafter for many years, Jean won ribbons and awards in 5 different states. She was known for her prize-winning Victorian Santa’s and was inducted into the Amish Acres Arts and Craft Festival Hall of Fame in Nappanee, IN after 19 years of participation. She was an active member of Goshen Christian Church and chaired the decorating committee for the Elkhart Christian Women’s Connection for 20 years. She was a valuable asset to Sweet Water Interiors of Goshen, IN since 2004.

Jean’s contagious smile, creativity and seemingly endless energy will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held, Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 3 p.m., at Goshen Christian Church, 2133 Berkey Ave., Goshen.