Joan Crist Gervig

Joan Gervig passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Brandon Frenzel officiating. Joan will lie in state from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home for those who would like to pay their respects.

Joan Lenore Crist Gervig was born February 11, 1923, in Danville, Illinois. She was the daughter of Dr. Otto H. and Edna Starkey Crist. She graduated from Danville High School, attended Stephens College, and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1944. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and was a Phi Beta Kappa. It was at the University of Illinois that she met Charles (Bud) Gervig, and they married on June 10, 1944, a week after she graduated. They lived in Danville after Bud was discharged from the service and moved to Waco in 1955, where he started Systems Service, Inc., a data processing business.

Joan was involved in numerous community and church activities. She served as Treasurer, General Chairman, and President of the Corporate Board of the Waco Cotton Palace Pageant, President of the Waco Symphony Council, the Brazos Forum, the Oakwood Cemetery Board, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, and Senior Cotillion. She was a member of the Junior League of Waco and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and had been active in Bible Study Fellowship, serving as a group leader and administrative assistant. She also served on the boards of the Art Center and Evangelia Settlement.

Joan was an active member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board, as Chairman of the Montessori School, and as chair and member of various committees. She was a certified Stephens Minister and served in the Meals on Wheels program. She enjoyed her bridge clubs and weekly Mah Jongg games.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband; two infant sons, John Charles and James Otto; a granddaughter, Lauren Ann Gervig; and her brother, Jack Wesley Crist.

She is survived by daughters, Susan Joan Heyde and husband Stephen, and Ann Marie Mitchell and husband Jeff; son, Mark Philip Gervig and wife Lynda; granddaughters, JoAn Wade and husband Joe, Melissa Gervig, and Rachel Gervig-Hewitt and wife Nora Hewitt; grandsons, David Taylor and wife Meghan, Brian Mitchell and wife Elizabeth, Brady Mitchell and wife Kimberley, and Mark Gervig, Jr. Her great grandchildren are Thomas “Boots” and Taylor Felton, Riley and Alyssa Widener, Zach Harrison, Eric, Devon, and Dean Gervig, Georgia and Dallas Taylor, and Dorothy and Marzolf Mitchell.

Joan was especially grateful for the dedication, love, and service of her long-time helper, Rocio Sesento, and the companionship of her precious cat, Claudia.

Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse or to a favorite charity.

Joan’s family invites you to leave a message or a memory online in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com