Mrs. Joan B. Overberger, 88, passed away peacefully Monday, March 15, 2021. Joan was born Feb. 6, 1933 in Barnesboro, Pa. Joan’s parents were George and Mary Hermalik, of Barnesboro, Pa. Joan was one of eight siblings: Mary and Ben Neighbor, of Hastings Pa., John and Dorothy Kostura, of Indiana, Pa., George and Angie Hermalik, of Altoona, Pa., Jack and Bernice Hermalik, of Leigh Acres, Fla., Harry and Jean Demay, of Erie, Pa., John and Aileen Bashista, of Fairfax, Va., and Eleanor Hermalik, who passed three months after birth.
Joan graduated from Barnesboro High School in 1951 and moved to Washington, D.C., to be an administrative assistant to the Office of Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon. On April 25, 1957, Joan received the Superior Performance Accomplishment Award by the Honorable Dudley C. Sharpe, assistant secretary of the Air Force. She received numerous achievement awards in recognition of her commitment to excellence. It was during this time she met her future husband, James, who was finishing his master’s degree of science in restoration dentistry at the University of Michigan. The two married and moved to Morgantown, as James was one of four original faculty staff members at the WVU School of Dentistry in 1957. James served over 52 years as associate dean at the School of Dentistry. James preceded her in death June 22, 2017.
Joan served as an officer at Vincent Pallotti Hospital and earned a lifetime membership for her commitment of services. Joan served on the Woman’s Dental Auxiliary to the West Virginia State Dental Society, member and leader of the Apollonian Dental Student Wives organization of WVU, North Carolina Durham Orange County Dental Auxiliary and president of Monongalia County Dental Auxiliary. Joan achieved her realtors license and became an associate broker with Pat Stewart Real Estate; she retired with over 20 years in the business. As a devout Catholic and longtime member of Good Counsel Friary and Saint Luke’s, Joan assisted with many fundraising events to help support the church and community.
Joan is survived by her two sons, James Overberger and his wife Leila, of Shadyside, Ohio, and Eric Overberger and his wife Christal, of Washington, Pa.
Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, Sunday, March 21, from 4-8 p.m. with Holy Rosary and Vigil services at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, Monday, March 22, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati, STD, VE, and Father Biju V. DeVassy as concelebrants. Entombment will be at Saint Mary Peace Garden Mausoleum. Due to COVID-19, all guests are asked to maintain social distancing and wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Dr. James E. Overberger and Joan B. Overberger Continuing Education Fund. Checks may be made to the WVU Foundation, P.O. Box 1530 Morgantown, WV, 26507-1650.
Condolences: www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
