Joan Kathryn Kayes

Joan Kathryn Kayes of Zionsville, Indiana, passed away on September 16th from complications associated with cancer. Joan Kayes was born Joan Kathryn DuFon on March 21, 1937, in East Chicago, Indiana, to John and Jean (Kubacki) DuFon. She grew up in Whiting, Indiana, where she attended Whiting High School. She attended Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University), earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She earned a Masters Degree in Education from Indiana University. She taught at East Gary Edison (now Lake Station) and later at Ivy Tech and Davenport College. She served as the director of the CCD program at St. Francis Xavier parish in Lake Station.

She is survived by children, Kosmas J.(Lisa) Kayes and Dr. D. Christopher (Dr. Anna) Kayes; grandchildren, Kosmas Alec, Braden Christopher, Alyssa Evon, and Benjamin Kosmas; sister, Jeanine (Bart) Smetana; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kosmas Kayes; brother, John “Jack” L., Jr.; sisters-in-law, Peggy (Albert) Terzes and Bessie (William) Naglosky; and brother-in-law, Tom (Fritz) Kayes.

 Joan was a devoted wife and mother. Without hesitation, she selflessly put her career on hold to give more time to her two boys. As the first in her family to obtain a college degree, she saw the value of education in improving one's life. After raising her family, she returned to teaching for another 20 years, inspiring another generation of students.

She and her husband served as a team in his role as a school administrator. They loved the region and Lake Station and were devoted to the school system where they both worked and met. They served the community for over 27 years and truly admired the people and families with whom their children grew up and the people with whom they worked. Joan also had many other friends outside Lake Station that they cherished, continuing these relationships with many of those friends through the end of her life.

 Joan had moved with her husband to Zionsville in 2006 to be closer to 2 of her grandchildren. They attended many of their school and sporting events. After the death of her husband, she continued to have a full, vibrant life with her grandkids and also served as a volunteer for several causes. She donated time to the Sullivan-Munce Museum in Zionsville and the Zionsville public library. She was also involved in a garden club, women’s club, and book club with her friends and neighbors. She was very thankful for the neighbors and friends she had as they socialized together and were supportive of her in her illnesses the last few years.

 Joan was an avid Hoosier fan, attending many football and basketball games late in her life. She always supported the teams despite their ups and downs. She enjoyed returning to Bloomington often to see two of her grandchildren, including their graduation ceremonies. She made many trips to the Washington, D.C., area to help her grandkids learn how to bake and cook and to visit new restaurants.

 Joan was blessed with many genuine friends and was greatly loved by her extended family. She passed peacefully and had the opportunity to spend her last moments with loved ones.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Kosmas Kayes Scholarship Fund of the Lake Station Schools Dollars for Scholars (2500 Pike St, Lake Station, Indiana 46405 or Venmo @Kosmas-Kayes) or the Sullivan-Munce Museum (https://www.sullivanmunce.org/). Please leave your name and ’in memory of Joan’ in the memo line.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at St. Alphonsus Ligouri Roman Catholic Church in Zionsville, IN from 10:00 to 12:00 pm.  The Mass will begin at noon EST.  This service will be livestreamed.  Burial will be on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 11am CST in Calumet Cemetery, Merrillville. Friends and family are invited to gather at 10:45am CST Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St., Merrillville, IN 46410 before an informal procession to Calumet Cemetery for the 11am Graveside.