Joan E. Gebhard

Joan Elaine Gebhard (nee Eshleman, Bailey) of Exton, PA passed away on January 16, 2026.

She was born in 1943 to Mary Ellen Bush and Kenneth Eshleman and was later adopted by her stepfather Ken Bailey. Joan graduated from Carlisle High School and briefly attended Shippensburg University before moving on to Central Penn Business School.

She married Terry Gebhard in 1964 and moved with him to Pittsburgh where she worked at Carnegie Mellon University. They later relocated to Connecticut before settling in Mechanicsburg, PA and welcoming their son, Justin, in 1977. In 1989, the family moved to Exton where Joan worked at EIT and West Chester University.

Though she lived in several places, Joan’s hometown of Carlisle was always close to her heart. She often shared childhood memories such as ice skating with her brother, John, on Conodoguinet Creek, swimming at Laurel Lake, visiting Massey’s Frozen Custard, and attending Camp Nawakwa as a girl scout.

Joan was devoted to her friends and family throughout her life. She served as room mother at Filbert Street Elementary School and den mother in cub scouts for her son, and was a dedicated caregiver to her mother in her later years. She liked games and would often pass time with loved ones playing card games such as King’s Corner.

Joan had a creative spirit and a great appreciation for music and the arts. She spent a summer in Boston and enjoyed outdoor concerts by the Boston Pops. She also took many summer trips to the Chautauqua Institution– a lakeside retreat center for music, art, and education.

She had an endless passion for all crafts, from knitting and weaving to ceramics and tole painting. She loved to make holidays and birthdays special with decorations and handmade cards.

She is survived by her husband Terry, son Justin (Bonnie), brother John Bailey (Michelle), nieces Heather and Alexandra, and her many close friends.

Joan will be remembered by all who loved her for her generosity, kindness, sense of humor and her warm and loving nature.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10:30 am - 11:30 at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380, followed by her Celebration of Life at 11:30 am.

A service will also be held in her hometown of Carlisle this spring, date is to be determined