Obituary of Joan M. Schnell

Joan M. Schnell Chesapeake, VA Joan M. Schnell, a native-born Olean resident, passed away Sunday (July 26, 2020) at the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Born May 30, 1928 in Olean, she was the daughter of Wesley C. and Gertrude Bell Brandes. On August 12, 1952 in Olean she married Harold R. Schnell who predeceased her October 16, 1988. Joan was a 1946 graduate of Olean High School and lived and raised her family in Olean. She worked as an office manager for F. W. Woolworth Co. and later as an audit manager for Sears and Roebuck Co., both in Olean. She moved to the home of her daughter Roseanne in 2005. While in Olean, she had been a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church and enjoyed membership at the YMCA and the Olean Senior League. She also was a volunteer with the RSVP program. She is survived by 2 daughters Roseanne (Mitchell) MacWilliams of Chesapeake and Cindy (Wayde) Hovey of Newark, OH; 4 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband she was predeceased by a daughter Kristi Kay Schnell in 1967; 2 brothers Thomas Brandes in 2005 and Bobby Brandes in infancy and a sister Jane White in 2000. Family and friends are welcome to gather for a graveside service at the St. Bonaventure Cemetery on Saturday (August 1, 2020) at 11am. Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.