A Teacher and Writer: in memory of Joan Ryser
Carolyn Joan Ryser passed away peacefully while holding her daughters’ hands on March 
6, 2017.
Born January 3, 1940 in Solsberry, Indiana, Joan was the daughter of George and Clareva Eller. She was the valedictorian of Bloomfield High School where she was active in student government and cheerleading. Joan continued her education at Indiana University on academic scholarship where she studied English and earned her bachelor’s degree in Education. She later completed her master’s degree.
An accomplished and beautiful pianist, Joan accompanied The Churchmen Gospel Quartet and even recorded a few albums as a young woman. Her grandchildren inherited her musical talents and Joan faithfully attended their orchestra and choir concerts and musicals. She attended many softball, baseball, and soccer games as well as swim meets.
Joan was proud of having taught English for 44 years at Bloomington High School South. While at South, she was also the assistant coach of the girls’ volleyball and basketball teams and was supportive of the high school drama program. She retired in 2010.
After her retirement, Joan moved to Indianapolis to be closer to her daughters and her grandchildren. She was active in the book club, bridge club, and Bible study at Marquette Manor where she developed many new friendships. Joan also made good use of her teaching skills by volunteering at Eastbrook Elementary School.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents. She will be missed and remembered lovingly by her daughters Angela Ryser Bahling and Dr. Jill Mazurek, her grandchildren Nick, Sophie, and Emma Mazurek and Micaela Bahling, as well as her brother Ron Eller, and his wife Sherry.
Funeral services will be held at First Church of the Nazarene in Bloomington on Saturday, March 11th at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis on Thursday, March 16th at 1 p.m.
She was passionate about writing and she wrote short stories as well as longer texts and dreamed of being a published author. Because of this, her family has chosen the Writers Guild at Bloomington to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to The Writer’s Guild at Bloomington, P.O. Box 3445 Bloomington, IN 47402-3445 or writersguildbloomington.com with “Joan Ryser” on the memo line.