Joan Catherine Abraham

Joan Catherine (Schaertl) Abraham, 84, of Indianapolis and formerly of Lowell passed away on June 12, 2026. Joan is survived by her children, Lisa (Mike) Francis of Indianapolis and Chuck (Robyn) Abraham of Cedar Lake; grandchildren Anna, Josh, Brian, Ian, Megan and Nigel; her brothers, John Schaertl of Beaverton, Oregon; James (Mary Ellen) Schaertl of Nokomis, Florida; Robert Schaertl of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Abraham, and her parents, Albert and Catherine Schaertl.

Joan was born in Hammond, Indiana on April 13, 1942, to Albert and Catherine Schaertl. She graduated from Bishop Noll High School in 1960 and worked for Simmons Mattress Company in Munster upon graduation. One particular activity Joan enjoyed in her youth was going polka dancing.

Joan and Roger married on May 15, 1965 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Hammond. The family moved to Lowell in 1976, and Joan became the school librarian at Oak Hill Elementary School in 1978 through her retirement in 2006.

Joan and Roger were very active with the Lowell High School Red Devil football program and ran chains (10-yard markers) for the middle school, freshman, and junior varsity football teams for 24 years. They supported the Red Devils through thick and thin. Running chains for the Red Devils was among Joan’s proudest achievements.

Joan was also an avid musician and history buff--many times combining the two. In the early 1980s, she helped start the Rock Ridge Dulcimer Society, in which she played pioneer era folk music with her friends. In around 1986, she formed the Buckley Family Singers and performed Civil War era songs from both sides of the conflict. Joan was also a member of the Indiana 9th Infantry Civil War reenactment group and performed at many events.

Joan also held a fascination with history from the World War II era, in particular the Pacific Theater. One of her most cherished memories was riding in an actual B-17 bomber, her favorite aircraft from the war.

Joan was formerly a member of St. Edward Roman Catholic Church in Lowell and most recently, St. Augusta Roman Catholic Church in Lake Village.

Viewing will take place at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. Christopher Parish located at 5301 W. 16th Street, Speedway, IN 46224, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at noon.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in her name to the Lowell High School football program.