Joan Hertzing Schweizer

Joan Alice Schweizer, age 86, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away on September 27, 2018, in her daughter’s home, surrounded by loved ones.  She had suffered from dementia but was diagnosed with lung cancer recently.  She was born in Royal Oak, Michigan on December 27, 1931 to Oscar and Beatrice Hertzing.  They moved to Indiana where Joan played the clarinet in Chrisney High School band.  She married Arthur Schweizer on July 8, 1951 in Biloxi, MS while Art was in the Air Force.  Later stationed at Eglin AFB, they started their own business, Art’s TV and Appliances and later Art’s Appliance Superstore.  Joan worked as the bookkeeper and actually ran the business.  She and Art worked side by side for over 50 years, until they sold the business to their daughter Karnise.  Joan continued to work there, now side by side with her daughter until closing in 2011.  Joan and Art were involved in Billy Bowlegs and Joan was the Queen of Capt. Tommy Ray, 1981-1982.  Joan loved to shop and decorate.  The house she designed in 1974 was on Choctawhatchee Bay and was featured in the Daily News Parade of Homes.  Gardening was another love of hers.  Her yard was filled with birdhouses, bird feeders and yard art.  She could never get enough yard art. 

Joan was a quiet lady that always had an elegance about her.  She loved her family and was always there for them.  If there was one word to describe Joan, it would be majestic.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Karnise Schweizer, whom she has lived with for almost 4 years; her son, Todd Schweizer; her grandchildren, Jason Schweizer and his wife, Margaret-Bailey, Josh Schweizer, Whitney Schweizer, Jarrod Schweizer, Payton Schweizer and Dakota Schweizer; her great grandchildren, Wyatt Schweizer and Finley Schweizer; her nephews, Mark, Greg, Brad and Brett Hertzing; daughter-in-laws, Cindy Schweizer McIntyre and Melanie Schweizer; and her beloved dog, Sam, and cat, Mia, that will spend their years at Karnise’s where they will be loved as much as Joan did.    

She was preceded in death by her husband, Art, in 2013; her son, Jeff, in 2011; her brother, Walter Hertzing, in 1988; her brother, Al Hertzing, in 2017; and her parents, Oscar and Beatrice Hertzing.

Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Walton Beach, on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 2 pm.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  There will be refreshments immediately following the service and then the interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Joan’s memory to PAWS, Alaqua Animal Refuge or GRACE Rides.