Joy Follis

VaDonna Joy Follis, 94, of Fort Wayne, Ind. passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Saint Anne Home & Retirement Community. She was born near Collins, Whitley County, on September 24, 1929, on a farm with pigs, cows, chickens, and horses, to the late Jesse and Lillie F. (Prough) Zeigler. She spent her formative years near Collins, Smith Township, Whitley County where she attended Collins School until they merged with Churubusco Schools where she graduated from Churubusco High School on April 25, 1947.

On September 15, 1951, in the Churubusco Methodist Church, she was united in marriage to James E. Follis. They made their home in Fort Wayne. Her husband James Follis died in 1991.

In 1946 Joy worked at the Blue Bell jeans factory in Columbia City. In 1947, she went to work at Farnsworth in Fort Wayne until her first son Stanley was born. Starting in 1964 she was employed at Magnavox for 27 years retiring October 1, 1991.

She was a member of Saint Joseph United Methodist Church. Growing up she wore homemade clothes made by her mother and made her own clothes for many years while working at Magnavox. She enjoyed picking fresh strawberries, apples, cherries, and other fresh fruits and vegetables in season.

She is survived by her daughter, Rene (Don) Szeman, Fremont; sons, Stan Follis, and Brian (Vickie) Follis; one granddaughter, two grandsons, and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie Follis, in 1955; and grandson, James Andrew Szeman, in 1988; fourteen siblings; five sisters, May Wappes, Gearldine Growcock, Martha Wappes, Betty Crabill, and Barb Nicodemus; and nine brothers, Clarence, Jay, Ben, Lee, John, Ralph, Don, Allen, and Marshall Zeigler.

Funeral Service is 11:30 a.m. Monday, September 9 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Maplewood Park, 4017 Maplecrest Rd, Fort Wayne with calling one hour prior. Friends and family will also be received 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 8 at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to Saint Joe UMC, 6004 Reed Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46835 or Saint Anne Home & Retirement Community, 1900 Randallia Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the Follis family.