Joan Chadwick

Mar 12, 1939 -

Feb 1, 2026

Joan Chadwick went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Joan Chadwick was born, along with her twin sister Jane, in St. Clair, Mich., on March 12, 1939. She grew up on a dairy farm situated on the Pine River. Her mother, Alberta, was a homemaker, and her father, Robert Marvin, not only ran the farm with Joan's uncle, but was a shipwright for Cris Craft as well.

Joan enjoyed the years on Pine River with her sisters Jane and Janet and their many cousins. She graduated from St. Clair High in 1957.

While visiting her older sister, Janet, in Chattanooga, Tenn., she met Bob Chadwick who was attending school with her brother-in-law.

Many years of correspondence ensued, as Bob had fulfilled a calling to serve God as a missionary on Afognak Island in Alaska. By 1963, they were engaged and married.

Joan's wonderful adventure with the love of her life, Bob, began by driving a Corvair up the Alcan Highway during the winter of '63. They arrived Anchorage, Alaska, in time to get settled in for the 1964 Good Friday earthquake.

She was first employed in Alaska as a secretary, and Bob as a construction worker.

By 1968, Bob had taken the pastorate at First Baptist Church of Birchwood, where they would both serve for more than 35 years.

As a pastor's wife she was youth leader and secretary, and spent the majority of her time in Children's Ministry. She loved teaching children that they are known and loved by Jesus. "Mission Friends," a children's ministry group, affected the lives of multiple generations.

She also spent 18 years as a pre-school teacher for Chugiak Children's Services.

Joan enjoyed camping: car camping, motorhome camping and canoe trips - even the Yukon River. She enjoyed travel to Europe, the Holy Land and, most of all, trips to see family in the Lower 48.

Joan was an excellent cook and seamstress. She sewed clothes for her family and others. Quilting was also a favorite pastime. Joan had dinner on the table for decades. She could also production cook like no other for church dinners. Canning salmon and picking berries annually were a necessity in the Chadwick household.

Joan and Bob had two sons: Robert Euwin and Lance Marvin. Joan loved her family, especially the new additions: daughters-in-law, Anne and Dana; grandchildren, Maddy (John), Miles (Kira), Bennett (Anya) and Evan; and great-granddaughter, Piper.

Joan Chadwick, devoted follower of Christ, mother, teacher and friend, will be missed. Colossians 1:9-14.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on March 21, 2026, at Community Covenant Church, 16123 Artillery Road in Eagle River, Alaska.