OBITUARY

Joan L. Tollman

June 4, 2024

Joan (Joannie) L. Tollman, her long battle with dementia at a peaceful end, passed away on June 4, 2024, in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. A native of Dayton and a 1954 graduate of Pietrzycki High School, Joannie had a career in the business world following graduation from Kinman Business University in Spokane.

She and Dayton native Jerry Dunlap were married in 1960, and son Jory came along in 1964. The family lived in Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont before returning to Dayton in the mid-1970s. Family and friends were always important to Joannie, who enjoyed meeting people and making new friends wherever she lived.

Joannie had many interests. During high school days, she wrote stories for the Chronicle-Dispatch and later devoted time to writing family stories. Family history was a passion during the family's years in Vermont, where she researched early Lyman family ancestors, dating back to their 1630 immigration from England.

Family and friends benefitted from Joannie's crafting, causing one family member to quip that Joannie never met a craft she didn't like. Although her wheat harvest experience ended after one day of truck driving, she later revived that skill as a bus driver for School District No. 2. Taking no nonsense from any bus rider, her charges were in safe hands.

Joannie inherited the fun her grandmother Lyman had harvesting huckleberries in the Blue Mountains, and family and friends enjoyed her delicious huckleberry pies. Her fun did not end there and, at times, a twinkle in her eye usually meant some good-natured fun was about to begin.

Following Jerry's passing in 1990, Joannie began a new career as a caregiver, residing in College Place. She later married Royce Tollman. They lived in Walla Walla and later in Texas, where Royce passed away in 2021.

Joannie is survived by her son, Jory Dunlap (Tilena) of Mt. Ayr, Ia.; brother William (Bill) Lyman (Linda), of Elmhurst, Il.; and by two nieces and a great-niece and great-nephew.

A graveside service in Dayton will occur at a later date.